Erebus accident
On the morning of 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 left Māngere airport, Auckland, for an 11-hour return sightseeing flight to Antarctica. At 12.49 p.m. NZST the aircraft crashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew on board. It was the worst civil disaster in New Zealand's history. Given our small population, many New Zealanders ‘knew someone or knew someone who knew someone’ who was on the aircraft.
Inquiry: Photograph identification
Archives New Zealand
Show the photograph above to students without the caption details and ask them to identify what it is. Click here for larger version.
In the introduction to White silence, an award-winning podcast on the Erebus accident, the producers highlight how in its aftermath, ‘more lives were lost, and others ruined as grief gave way to blame, anger and recrimination.’
Debate raged over who was at fault for the accident. An initial report by the chief inspector of air accidents, Ron Chippindale, attributed the crash to the actions of the pilot. The subsequent findings of Justice Peter Mahon’s Royal Commission of Inquiry placed the blame squarely on Air New Zealand and its systems. He disagreed with Chippindale’s ‘probable cause’ that the pilot was at fault, clearing the crew of responsibility for the accident.
At an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the disaster in 2019 the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, apologised to the families ‘for the actions of an airline then in full state ownership, which ultimately caused the loss of the aircraft and the loss of those you loved.’ Ardern went on to say that ‘the pilots were not responsible for this tragedy, and I stand here today to state that again.’
The government is investigating a site for an enduring National Erebus Memorial in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Timeline of the history of Erebus – Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Recommended sources
An ideal starting place to consider the broad historical narrative of the Erebus accident. The Antarctica keyword link at the bottom of each page will take you to all relevant content available on the NZHistory website.
Erebus air crash in Antarctica – DigitalNZ
Story curated by National Library Services to Schools.
Erebus: The loss of TE901 – New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association
Information on the accident and the subsequent investigation into its causes, as well as the accounts of key figures involved in the recovery operation on the ice. There is a (incomplete) Roll of Remembrance, and an excellent media archive covering the period 1979–2009.
A permanent exhibition honouring the victims of the Erebus tragedy and those who worked on Operation Overdue can be viewed at the New Zealand Police Museum, located on the campus of the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.
Operation Overdue – NZ On Screen
This 71-minute film combines re-enactments of the recovery operation on the slopes of Mt Erebus with interviews with those involved. Teachers should consider watching in its entirety before sharing with students. Viewer discretion is advised.
White silence podcast– Stuff/RNZ
This comprehensive eight-episode podcast looks at ‘how New Zealand’s worst ever disaster became even more fraught, more bitter, and more divisive in the years afterwards.’ Co-producer Michael Wright’s companion piece, Erebus: New Zealand’s gigantic, unresolved mess, is worthwhile reading.
Paul Holmes. Daughters of Erebus. Auckland: Hachette NZ Ltd, 2011
Broadcaster Paul Holmes looks at the effects of the Erebus disaster on the women of the Collins family. He accuses the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents of lying about some of his findings to protect Air New Zealand and the government at the time. Holmes calls on Parliament to exonerate Captain Jim Collins and First Officer Greg Cassin. Listen to interview about the book with Jim Mora on RNZ.
Sarah Myles. Towards the mountain: a story of grief and hope forty years on from Erebus. Auckland: Allen & Unwin, 2019
Sarah Myles lost her grandfather, Frank Christmas, on Air NZ Flight TE901. Through extensive research and interviews, Myles reveals the story of her grandfather and his fellow adventurers, as well as the experiences of first responders.
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