23 September 2009

AirNZ ponders Mt Erebus disaster memorials

AUCKLAND - Air New Zealand is inviting families of those lost on flight TE 901 at Mount Erebus to provide feedback on aspects of a proposal to mark the 30th anniversary of the accident on November 28 this year.

Air New Zealand has been exploring with Antarctica New Zealand the possibility of holding memorial services at the accident site and Scott Base.

When it began considering how to mark the 30th anniversary, Air New Zealand explored the possibility of giving a family representative of each of those lost in the accident an opportunity to visit the Erebus memorial in Antarctica.

However, in consultation with Antarctica New Zealand, it quickly became clear this was not practically or logistically possible given the remoteness of the Erebus memorial site and the limited opportunity to co-ordinate the visit with combined United States and New Zealand helicopter support.

Following a recent agreement with Antarctica New Zealand, Air New Zealand is able to make available five places to visit Scott Base and the Erebus memorial site dependent on weather.

It is proposed three of those places would be taken by next-of-kin of passengers, with the other two by representatives of each of the cabin crew and flight crew.

Air New Zealand deputy CEO Norm Thompson says the airline would like feedback from families on whether they feel it is appropriate for these seats to be filled by next-of-kin.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIf there is a general consensus that it would be appropriate to have next-of-kin travel to Antarctica on behalf of the families for the services, we will seek expressions of interest and the selection will be made through an independent ballot process provisional on those balloted passing a full Antarctic medical by November 5,Ã¢â¬~ Thompson said.

Air New Zealand is also putting in place plans to mark the first anniversary of the A320 accident off the coast of Perpignan in France on November 28 last year.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe expect some family and friends of the men lost in the accident to travel to Perpignan where we will hold a service and unveil a memorial plaque. We will also hold an event to thank the search and rescue teams and accident investigators for their tireless efforts.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœFor those who do not to travel to France, an anniversary service will be held in Auckland,Ã¢â¬~ Thompson said. .

FOOTNOTE: Air New Zealand Flight 901 was a scheduled Antarctic sightseeing flight from Auckland. The Antarctic sightseeing flights were operated with McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30. On November 28, 1979 the 14th flight crashed into Mount Erebus, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew members.