Weather delays Erebus memorial

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 8:22p.m.

A memorial trip to the crash site of the 1979 Mt Erebus air disaster has been postponed tonight after strong winds prevented helicopters from landing.

Six people whose family members died in the crash landed in Antarctica this afternoon.

Air New Zealand drew the family members by ballot to fly on a United States Air Force C-17 cargo plane to mark tomorrow's 30th anniversary of the DC10 crash, which killed 257 people.

They set down at McMurdo Sound about 3pm after a 4000km, five-hour flight. Helicopters later flew the six over the mountain.

They circled the crash site for about 20 minutes, but could not land due to 55-75kmh winds, Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said.

"They got a very good view over Lewis Bay, but the plane was completely buried," he told NZPA.

The wreckage had not been seen since the 25th anniversary of the crash, Mr Sanson said.

It was holiday weekend with Thanksgiving so they would not be able to attempt to fly to the site over the weekend, but would look at doing it on Monday before the family members left, he said.

Memorial services will be held at Scott Base, Auckland and Christchurch tomorrow.

One of them Eric Houghton said earlier today before heading out to the site the trip would be hard.

"I realise that I am carrying more than just my own self in this," he told One News.

"But no, I feel good about it, it feels right. I'm looking forward to being up on the mountain and honouring those who were lost."

The daughter of Erebus pilot Captain Jim Collins, Pip Collins said she had "very mixed emotions".

"I'm taking each moment as it comes. Every step of this journey has actually been very filled with significance."

Memorial services will be held at Scott Base, Auckland and Christchurch tomorrow.

Tomorrow also marks the first anniversary of the tragic Air New Zealand Airbus crash in Southern France in which five New Zealanders and two Germans lost their lives.

Many of the New Zealanders' family members had gathered in Perpignan where two days of commemorations would be held, 3News reported tonight.

The Government is looking at chartering an Antarctica flight for Erebus victims' family members after a public spat broke out this week.

Christchurch businessman Mike Pero had planned to charter a flight in January for the family members, but Air New Zealand accused him of cashing in on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Mr Pero's flight was yesterday cancelled when Qantas pulled out.

Prime Minister John Key said today he believed the relatives deserved the opportunity to go and the Government could play a role in getting them there.

NZPA

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