'And you argue that he was not maintaining VMC? "
This is not relevant, the requirements for descent were laid down both by the company and CAA. As has been stated ad infinitum, none of the requirements for descent were met. There is no doubt that the crew were in full knowledge of the requirements for descent, the requirements were there to prevent just such a disaster from taking place.
This was not an aircraft owned by the crew to do with as they wished, the Company owned it, held the AOC, and prescribed though SOP's how they wanted their aircraft operated. The CAA also laid down their requirements for these operations to take place. These requirements were ignored and we have all seen the results.
For anyone who has not yet seen these requirements here they are.
1. Vis 20 Km plus.
2. No snow showers in area.
3. Avoid Mt Erebus area by operating in an arc from 120 degrees Grid through 360 degrees grid to 270 degrees grid from McMurdo Field, within 20nm of TACAN CH29.
4. Descent to be co-ordinated with local radar control as they may have other traffic in the area.
As has been stated many times not one of these requirements was adhered to. They were mandatory requirements, not as some would have us believe to be complied with if it suited but ignored if it did not suit.
Last edited by prospector; 24th Jan 2008 at 01:05.