What were the Consequences of the Erebus Crash?
With a crash at such a scale, the consequences are bound to be grave. The Erebus Crash affected aspects of New Zealand society such as it's government, economy and most importantly it's people.
Political Consequences and Responses
The 1979 Erebus Crash had a huge impact on New Zealand’s court system because of the great controversy over why the crash occurred and who was to blame. Ron Chippendale who was New Zealand’s chief inspector of air accidents compiled an accident report on the 12 June 1980. In this report he came to the conclusion that the crash was due to pilot error, as he blamed Pilot Jim Collins for descending lower than he should have and continuing to fly so low even though crew were unsure of their position. A commission of Inquiry was also called, headed by High Court judge Peter Mahon. Unlike Chippendale, Mahon believed that the cause of the crash was due to mistakes made on Air New Zealand’s part. Mahon blamed Air New Zealand for the change in flight coordinates, failing to train crew on what to do in whiteout conditions and the overall unbelievable claims and testimonies of management. He was known for pinpointing the phrase "an orchestrated litany of lies" (2) on Air New Zealand referring to their cover-ups and plans of deception.
Shortly after Mahon’s report was released confirming Air New Zealand’s conspiracy, mistakes and cover-up of evidence, Air New Zealand responded with profuse denying of the claims. With Prime Minister Robert Muldoon’s influence, Mahon’s claims were challenged and appealed due to the uproar from Air New Zealand, as Mahon was seen to have breached natural justice. Mahon soon retired as controversy still persisted in court, which has still yet to be resolved completely. Video to the right: News report from 20 years after the Erebus Crash. Identifies Mahon's political involvement in Erebus Disaster, and shows how controversy surrounding the Erebus Disaster is still present in court. |
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Economic Consequences
Like any air disaster, the Erebus crash caused many repercussions in terms of the economy. Because the Mahon report blamed Air New Zealand for the Erebus crash, the company lost the trust of customers nationally and internationally. Prior to the Erebus Disaster, Antarctic tourism was becoming more popular due to the positive experiences of previous passengers. Air New Zealand carried a total of more than 10, 000 passengers to Antarctica since they first offered the sightseeing flights in February 1977 along with the Australian Qantas airlines. Antarctic sightseeing flights were a success, as tourism in Antarctica was booming, bringing in good money for Air New Zealand.
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On November 28th 1979, The Erebus Crash shattered tourism in Antarctica. Air New Zealand cancelled all flights to Antarctica immediately after the disaster, causing Qantas to follow suit in February the previous year. Cancellations of these flights made a dent in not only Air New Zealand’s pocket but also squandered the growth of Antarctic tourism for Qantas as well. Soon after the crash, dependents of the crash victims filed claims for US$1 million each against the US Navy, claiming that radar operators didn’t give pilots enough warning, which caused their crash into Erebus.
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Social Consequences
Though the political and economic consequences were extensive, they were miniscule in comparison to the effects the crash caused to the people involved directly and indirectly in the crash. The greatest consequence of the 1979 Erebus Disaster was of course the tragic loss of 257 lives suffered by crew and passengers who were aboard Flight 901. Passengers came from various parts of the world such as Japan, USA, France and Canada to board the flight that would never return. Most of the victims’ bodies were found, however 44 bodies were not recovered, which left family members and loved ones with little closure. The loved ones and families of crash victims were deeply affected as mothers and fathers were lost, leaving
children with broken homes. One particular child who lost her father was
Phillipa Collins, daughter of Pilot Jim Collins. Phillipa and her family not
only had to deal with the grief of
losing their father, but also the blame which was initially placed him as the
Chippendale report claimed pilot error was the cause of the crash. Family life
was disrupted as her mother was constantly in court due to the inquiry.
The Erebus crash also affected those in society responsible for recovery efforts, as up to 60 recovery workers were busy on site at one time. Identification of the bodies took up to weeks as police, volunteers and professionals such as dentists worked in the harsh climates of Antarctica to make sure they recovered as much as possible. These bodies now rest at the Waikumete Cemetery where a mass grave for the victims of the Erebus Disaster lie, which also honours the 44 unrecovered crash victims. |
(2)- Report of the Royal Commission to Inquire into the Crash on Mount Erebus,
Antarctica of a DC10 Aircraft Operated by Air New Zealand Limited (1981)
Antarctica of a DC10 Aircraft Operated by Air New Zealand Limited (1981)