Facts
- The high altitude NAV track was changed the night before the flight. The crew were not advised.
- Collins descended VFR below approved MSA. He did not verify his position using the INS readout and a chart prior to commencing descent.
- The area to which he was heading once descended was completely covered in cloud.
- He had failed to establish VHF comms with McMurdo.
- He failed to capture the TACAN
- He re-armed the INS several times during the descent. The INS is not approved for terrain avoidance nor a VFR NAVAID.
- The flight engineer inquired as to high ground during the descent, which didn't elicit any response from the two pilots. No reference to Mt. Bird was made during the descent. The Flight engineer also said "I don't like this" shortly before the decision was made to climb out.
- When still faced with poor visibility at 2000', Collins elected to descend further to 1500'.
Not Facts
- Collins was justified in believing the track ran down Mc Murdo sound.
- They did, or did not have VMC conditions during the descent.
- They were deceived by an optical illusion at 1500' causing them to see a flat horizon and what looked for all the world to be perfect VMC conditions.
- Air New Zealand masterminded a massive cover up.
Mitigating factors
- The crew had no experience in polar flying
- The crew had almost no training in polar flying
- Briefings and SOPs surrounding the flights were vague
- The crew probably felt some commercial pressure