![]() The plan gave co-ordinates for the trip to Antarctica and across McMurdo Sound. Nineteen days earlier the pilots had attended a briefing session where they were shown the printouts of a flight plan used by previous flights to the Antarctic. Incorrect flight co-ordinates entered in plane's navigation system These sightseeing flights had been operating since February 1977, and took the passengers on a low-flying sweep over McMurdo Sound, returning to New Zealand on the same day.Ĭaptain Jim Collins and his co-pilot Greg Cassin had not flown the Antarctic flight before, but the flight was considered to be straightforward and they both were experienced pilots. On board were 237 passengers and 20 crew, looking forward to the 11-hour return sightseeing flight to Antarctica. Erebus, opens a new window by Pat Shepherd, opens a new window / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ, opens a new windowĪt 8:20 am on 28 November, 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901 left Auckland Airport. The crash remains the worst civilian disaster in New Zealand’s history. All the 237 passengers and 20 crew on board were killed. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of constant vigilance in aviation safety and the need for continuous improvements to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.On 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sightseeing flight to the continent. The loss of life was heartbreaking, and the lessons learned from the disaster have helped to make aviation safer for millions of people around the globe. The tragedy of Air New Zealand Flight 901 was a devastating event that shook the world. The disaster also led to the development of new technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), which has since become a standard feature in modern aircraft. ![]() The accident highlighted the importance of accurate and effective communication between crew members and emphasized the need for comprehensive training and standardization of procedures. ![]() The crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 led to significant changes in aviation safety regulations. Additionally, the airline had not adequately trained their pilots for the challenging conditions of flying over Antarctica, including the lack of visual cues and extreme weather conditions. Firstly, the pilots’ navigational instruments were not properly calibrated, and they did not have a clear understanding of the route they were flying. The investigation into the crash revealed several factors that contributed to the tragedy. However, there was also controversy over the airline’s responsibility for the tragedy. The investigation into the crash began immediately, and it was clear that there had been a major navigational error by the pilots. It was the worst air disaster in the country’s history, and the loss of life was devastating. The news of the crash stunned New Zealand and the world. The aircraft crashed into the side of the mountain, killing all on board. The pilots were unaware of their mistake until it was too late. They believed they were flying over McMurdo Sound, but in reality, they were over Ross Island, heading straight towards Mount Erebus. The CrashĪs the aircraft approached Antarctica, the pilots made a critical mistake in their navigation, deviating from the intended flight path. On that fateful day, 237 passengers and 20 crew members boarded the DC-10 aircraft, which had been specially modified for the Antarctic tour. The flight was a popular tourist attraction, and the airline had been operating similar flights for several years without incident. Mount Erebus SceneĪir New Zealand Flight 901 was a sightseeing tour of Antarctica, departing from Auckland and making several stops before reaching the southernmost continent. In this article, we will explore the events leading up to the crash, the aftermath, and the lessons learned from the tragedy. The tragedy was a shock not only to the people of New Zealand but also to the world, as it was one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history at that time. ![]() On November 28th, 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901, also known as the “ Mount Erebus disaster,” crashed into the side of Mount Erebus on Antarctica, killing all 257 (237 passengers 20 crew) people on board. ![]()
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