Remembering Erebus

A DigitalNZ Story by Donna Robertson

On 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sight-seeing flight to the continent. All the 237 passengers and 20 crew on board were killed and the crash remains the worst civilian disaster in New Zealand’s history. http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Society/Disasters/Erebus-1979/index.asp

Erebus, Antarctica, Antarctic

Image: Former High Court judge, and Head of the Commission of Enquiry into the Erebus disaster, Peter Mahon, with his book Verdict on Erebus - Photograph taken by Ray Pigney

Former High Court judge, and Head of the Commission of Enquiry into the Erebus disaster, Peter Mahon, with his book Verdict on Erebus - Photograph ...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Erebus disaster map

Erebus disaster map

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Erebus flight overdue

Erebus flight overdue

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Initial Erebus memorial services

Initial Erebus memorial services

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Recognition for role during Erebus operation

Recognition for role during Erebus operation

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Making the Erebus memorial cross

Making the Erebus memorial cross

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Erebus memorial service on Antarctica in 2004

Erebus memorial service on Antarctica in 2004

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Expressions of sympathy after Erebus disaster

Expressions of sympathy after Erebus disaster

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Recovering the flight recorders from Erebus

Recovering the flight recorders from Erebus

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The Erebus inquiry by Peter Mahon

The Erebus inquiry by Peter Mahon

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Recovery party accommodation, Mt Erebus

Recovery party accommodation, Mt Erebus

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Wreckage of Flight TE901 sighted on Erebus

Wreckage of Flight TE901 sighted on Erebus

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Psychological toll of Operation Overdue

Psychological toll of Operation Overdue

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Flight TE901 to Antarctica

Flight TE901 to Antarctica

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage