27/09,
All this ground has been covered in previous threads, in particular if you do a search on thread "Erebus 25 years on" you will see there are many folk who do not agree with Mr Mahons findings as to the cause of the disaster, he did open up a new chapter in accident investigation perhaps, but his opinion, which is all he could deliver, could not be challenged, and the Official Report is still that issued by Ron Chippendale, the Air Accident Inspector. That report is available for perusal at the site mentioned in the original post.
"I don't recall what the requirements were for descent below 16,0000 but if I recall correctly the crew believed that they had those requirements"
These were the requirements, and a copy was found in the cockpit during the search.
" Delete all reference in briefing dated 23/10/709. Note that the only let-down procedure available is VMC below FL160(16000ft) to 6000ft as follows:
1. Vis 20 km plus.
2. No snow shower in area.
3. Avoid Mt Erebus area by operating in an arc from 120 degree Grid to 270 degree Grid from McMurdo Field, within 20 nm of TACAN CH 29.
4. Descent to be coordinated with local radar control as they may have other traffic in the area."
Which one of these requirements was met??