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Wreckage of Flight 901 - Source: Antarctica New Zealand Collection -
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ONE News brings you exclusive coverage from Antarctica as the family members of those killed in the Erebus plane crash return to the site.
Vicki Wilkinson-Baker is the only journalist there for the memorial 30 years after the Air New Zealand DC10 crashed into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 passengers.
She is sending commentary straight to tvnz.co.nz and has described the roller coaster of emotions everyone on the journey has experienced.
Vicki says before their plane touched down she thought about how brave these three men and three women were. Each of them has a different story.
The first thing they saw when the six family representatives stepped off the plane was the mountain that's had such a huge impact on their lives.
A planned helicopter flight on Friday evening to the crash site was postponed because of strong winds, but organisers are hoping to try again on Monday.
The daughter of the pilot of the fatal flight, Pip Collins, says while it was disappointing not to land at the site, it is "amazingly beautiful."
"We're here at the whim of the weather and obviously the mountain didn't want us there today," says Collins. "I saw things I would never have imagined."
She says she has been thinking of her dad, Captain Jim Collins, all the time and also the recovery teams and what they did.
Fran Kell, who lost her father in the crash, is pleased there is no visible sign of the wreckage and hopes it remains that way. "It's time it was buried."
Kell would like to be able to land at the site but is pleased they have at least been able to see it.
All of the family members have been moved by the stunning scenery.
"Wonderful, just wonderful," says David Allan. "Everything I ever hoped for."
Carmen Mackenzie says it was amazing for her first helicopter ride. "Amazing place, calm and beautiful."
She says while she was disappointed the helicopters couldn't land it "still felt good to be be there".
Eric Houghton, whose father John was on the fatal flight, says words and pictures don't do the place justice.
He says safety has always been paramount over landing at the site and they "have to make the best of what we've got". But he says he would like to go back, put his feet on the ground and "say a few words".
And Philip Keenan, who lost his sister Dianne in the disaster, has "run out of superlatives" describing the scenery. He is hoping the helicopters will be able to land when they visit the crash site again on Monday.
Scott Base says the helicopters tried hard to land for about 20 minutes on Friday, but were not able to touch down because of high 55-75kmh winds.
"They got a very good view over Lewis Bay, but the plane was completely buried," Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson says.
The wreckage has not been seen since the 25th anniversary of the crash.
It is the first time relatives have been able to visit the site since the accident on November 28, 1979, and some of the bodies have never been recovered.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentPaulNZ said on 2009-11-28 @ 18:12 NZDT: Report abusive post
For someone whom has lost 2 on the flight a fly by whislt nice would not cover it. Air NZ have given 6 the opportunity which is all that could logistically be able to to contend with in the location which is not like its downtown. I commend Air NZ for the opportunity they have provided even though its for a few. It was a NZ tradegy and my feeling was New Zealand failed to look after those that were affected and no single company or person can be blaimed.
martins_chc_nz said on 2009-11-28 @ 12:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
I find it odd how little credit has been given to the US Antarctic Program for their involvement in this event. It was their plane, not Air New Zealand, or Antarctica NZ who flew the family members down to the ice. And all credit to Mike Pero, good on you mate. Why Air new Zealand would not send ALL the families down is just questionable beyond belief. Are those 6 more important than the others or is it simply yet another occurance of corporate greed being more important than compassion.
chrispy said on 2009-11-26 @ 16:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
I believe Air New Zealand should start looking at its self with regardsa to be respectful. I took this so called iconic company 30 years to get up the guts to appologise, that is if you can call that episode an appology. Good on Mike Pero. Air New Zealand should put on a flight for All the Families, who lost loved ones, Feee of Any Cost..!!!
Lulu45 said on 2009-11-26 @ 10:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think the gesture is great, however, Air New Zealand should be taking all the families that suffered this tragedy down and they should be apologising for the errors that were made - 30 years on the wounds are still raw and it is time to heal
Mananan said on 2009-11-26 @ 08:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think Mike is just giving more people who lost someone a chance to see the site. Air New Zealand, if you really cared, you would fill up an enitre aircraft of family and friends of the victims for free, rather than the pathetic effort of 6 that you have done.