PPRuNe Forums - Mt Erebus Disaster 40th Anniversary

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Mt Erebus Disaster 40th Anniversary

The 28 of November this year marks the 40th anniversary of the worst civil disaster in New Zealand’s history when Air New Zealand flight TE crashed in Antarctica killing 237 people.

May they Rest In Peace.

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/erebus-disaster

I can highly recommend the NZ Herald 'Litany of Lies' Erebus podcast, it has been excellent so far:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12284801

Best close it now Mods, the subject only raises the ire of many, bit like talking about '89.

In loving memory Air New Zealand Flight 901, 28 November 1979

I’ve started threads on this subject several years ago. The then Government of the day and Air New Zealand should’ve been held to account. They got away with murder. Justice Mahon was a champion for his efforts to expose the rot and make people accountable. He didn’t really stand a chance as he was a small cog in a very large wheel. This accident will always remain controversial due to malfeasance and corruption. To those who covered things up, may you eternally rot in hell. To all of those who died - R.I.P. To the loved ones, families and friends of those who died and who remain in pain to this day - our thoughts remain with you.

A special remembrance to the following people;

COLLINS, Thomas James (Jim)
Position: Captain
Country: New Zealand

CASSIN, Gregory Mark
Position: First Officer
Country: New Zealand

LUCAS, Graham Neville
Position: First Officer
Country: New Zealand

BROOKS, Gordon Barrett
Position: Flight Engineer
Country: New Zealand

MOLONEY, Nicholas John (Nick)
Position: Flight Engineer
Country: New Zealand

BENNETT, David John
Position: Assistant Purser
Country: New Zealand

CARR-SMITH, Elizabeth Mary
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

CATER, Graham Ronald
Position: Senior Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

COLLINS, Martin John
Position: Purser
Country: New Zealand

FINLAY, Michael James
Position: Assistant Purser
Country: New Zealand

KEENAN, Dianne
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

LEWIS, James Charles
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

MARINOVIC, Suzanne Margaret
Position: Senior Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

MAXWELL, Bruce Rhodes
Position: Senior Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

McPHERSON, Roy William
Position: Chief Purser
Country: New Zealand

MORRISON, Katrina Mary June
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

MULGREW, Peter David
Position: In Flight Commentator
Country: New Zealand

SCOTT, Russell Morrison
Position: Purser
Country: New Zealand

SICKLEMORE, David Brian
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

SIMMONS, Stephen George
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

WOLFERT, Marie-Therese
Position: Cabin Crew
Country: New Zealand

This round is on me...........

When I read this I thought that Milton Wylie was just defending his boss, and I'm still not sure.

However when I read this
"He also reveals his concerns about the fact First Officer Graham (Brick) Lucas, who had been an Air Force navigator, on TE-901 was not on the flight deck in the final moments. Wylie believes he could have made a difference to the fatal outcome.) "I knew him personally - a very experienced guy, very forthright. I'm sure if he'd been on the flight deck, he would have had something to say at an earlier stage. Why wasn't he on the flight deck? Another eye, another ear, another brain - and somebody who was certainly not going to sit still and be quiet. He was a very forceful character." I agreed entirely.

I met Brick Lucas at the WLG Aero Club when I was learning to fly (PPL only, sorry) and I found he certainly called a spade a bloody shovel. I flew with him a number of times when he was flying the newspaper run for Murray Turley's Capital Air Services and Air Albatross and found him to be most professional and a good friend

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12286526

Quote:

Best close it now Mods, the subject only raises the ire of many

and it will go on, and on ad infinitude!

OK, so leave it open, I'm listening to the podcast and the more info the better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Knight (Post 10623055)

and it will go on, and on ad infinitude!

Muct the same as people will go on and on about Alan Joyce, Virgin management, CASA’s incompetence and so the wheel keeps turning. And it’s true, in reality, some things never change.

But there are some ulgy realities, unproven accusations and dirty linen surrounding Erebus that quite simply haven’t been finalised, clarified and closed out.

And I don’t see why there needs to be a call to arms for a thread to be closed if it hasn’t degenerated into a slanging match or an all in rumble. If a person doesn’t like the topic or subject matter then move on to another thread more to your interest.

I've had my say on this topic over the years on here and am loathe to contribute more to this topic, but interestingly a quick look at the previous posts reveals that two of the most vociferous and contemptuous posters have not been active on pprune recently.

Back around 1996 or '97, I was part of a small team that Boeing sent to ANZ due to an issue they were having with their CF6-80C2 powered 767s. I was aware of the Mt. Erebus disaster, but really hadn't thought too much about it - it wasn't due to an aircraft problem, wasn't a Boeing aircraft (this was pre-merger), and it was almost literally half a world away.
But dealing with the ANZ people the subject somehow came up, it quickly became apparent that - many years later - it remained an open wound. It had affected them - in much the same way the Lauda 767 crash had affected me (something that took me many years to get over)
Pretty sobering...

Quote:

Originally Posted by megan (Post 10623032)

Best close it now Mods, the subject only raises the ire of many, bit like talking about '89.

You don't need to have an opinion on the cause to be able to appreciate the scale and gravity of this tragedy. The previous thread prompted me to spend some time understanding all sides of the argument and learn a great deal. Possibly a case study to surmount all case studies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie Onion (Post 10623029)

I can highly recommend the NZ Herald 'Litany of Lies' Erebus podcast, it has been excellent so far:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12284801

There was a Stuff/Radio NZ 6 part podcast "White Silence"the week before that had a few interesting tidbits.

Not sure we need two govt entities (RNZ and NZ On Air) both funding their own podcasts on the topic

With this Herald/NZ On Air effort there was an error or two in the first few episodes, and I didn't think much of the interview of the US Navy Navigator who claimed to talk to the crew, don't recall seeing that conversation in the CVR transcript.

It's dissapointing to see the anger here amongst these pages about events that happened so long ago where no one can do anything about the outcome of that tragic day. It's really now just a time to remember the lost and embrace today hopefully a safer Aviation industry.

This one was a bit before my time as a pilot , but I remember it.
I just read a few pages on it , and there is indeed a few basic things to learn from.
Also loosing one of my best friends down there in a Twin Otter crash in the 90s makes mull over old mistakes.

Live and learn folks.
Erik and the rest of You down there: We never forget You!
Rest in Peace.

Cpt B

Quote:

Originally Posted by machtuk (Post 10623175)

If justice has not been seen to be done, it might seem a little naive and insensitive to suggest this?

Quote:

interestingly a quick look at the previous posts reveals that two of the most vociferous and contemptuous posters have not been active on PPRuNe recently.

Those two were behind my close the thread comment, having been on the receiving end of their bile. Folks might review previous threads on the subject to see the invective.

I found a copy of Justice Mahon's book at an op shop and I think that he was able to show where the true blame lied (pun intended). As for justice, I think all those who were involved have long since departed.

This was the accident that started my journey in aviation safety. It was a tragedy for so many people, those that died on the mountain and those that were left behind.
After thirty years and having investigated numerous accidents incidents, I truly believe that this accident led to greater understanding of Human factors, Chaotic complex systems and a far more enlightened form of investigation that goes beyond the initial "cause" to find the why's behind the what happened.
having said that whatever your opinions we should and must remember that everyone on TE901 went on the flight expecting to have a great experience of seeing Antarctica. Tragically they did not return.
RIP

If any post is contrary to the rules or the thread becomes unnecessarily vexatious it will be appropriately moderated or closed, like any other PPRuNe thread.

It is 40 years since the Erebus disaster, we all have 20/20 vision in retrospect, history can't be changed. Remember those who were lost or suffered but it is time to move on.