Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:47p.m.
By Rebecca Wright
When Air New Zealand flight 901 smashed into Mt Erebus, the tragedy was of such magnitude it stopped the country.
All 257 people on board were killed.
But instead of saying sorry, the airline blamed the pilots, and was in turn accused of telling a litany of lies.
Now, on the 30th anniversary, Air New Zealand has offered the families of the victims an apology – which some say should have been delivered decades ago.
“Sorry to all those who suffered the loss of a love one, to all those affected by the Erebus tragedy who did not receive the support and compassion they should have from Air New Zealand,” says CEO Rob Fyfe.
He was not apologising for the crash, or the sense there had been something like a litany of lies – but about the way Air New Zealand treated the families of those who died.
Jim Collins and Greg Cassin were in charge of Flight 901.
They not only perish – they then suffered the indignity of being wrongly blamed for the tragedy.
A Royal Commission of Enquiry later absolved the pair – but that was never acknowledged by Air New Zealand, and so did little to ease the pain of the families.
Today’s apology meant something entirely different for them, and for widow Maria Collins, the fight is not over yet.
“I’m after the vindication of my husband’s reputation. That is still not vindicated and I’m very keen to be able to achieve that before I’m no longer here to do it.”
But not all the families of those who died that day want to hear Fyfe’s apology – or are willing to forgive.
For them, it has come decades too late.
“He is not apologising for Air New Zealand’s behaviour immediately subsequent the accident, or even during the inquiry – that is the real issue,” says Erebus victim’s son Bruce Dahl.
The sculpture and today’s ceremony was not just for the Erebus victims – but also the seven lost in last year’s Airbus crash off Perpignan.
Two air disasters uncannily linked to the one date – November 28.
The sculpture remembers those who perished, and is a monument to the maligned, the dead, and Air New Zealand’s hopes.
Along with their apology, it is hoped it will help to heal the past.
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