Inquiry counsel see Antarctic films

Press, 22 July 1980, Page 3

Inquiry counsel see Antarctic films

PA Auckland Lawyers at the Commission of Inquiry into the DCIO crash yesterday afternoon were shown films taken on previous sightseeing flights to the Antarctic.

The two reels of film viewed are being considered as possible exhibits at the hearing, which is now in its third week, before the oneman commission, Mr Justice Mahon.

Earlier, Ronald Cliff Reginald Cooper, an Auckland regional aircraft surveyor in the Civil Aviation Division, described the routine servicing and maintenance of the ill-fated jet. Under cross-exmination by Mr D. A. R. Williams, representing Air New Zealand, Mr Cooper agreed that the plane departing from Auckland as flight TE9OI was properly maintained and serviced in all respects.

Ten “concessions” — or minor defects — had been noted by Air New Zealand, he said. But none of these was considered at all significant;

All other minor problems, the sort reported from time to time by crews, had been rectified and - ..the aircraft

checked to make sure there was no indication of a persistent trend. Mr Cooper said that after reports were received from overseas about faulty radio altimeters, checks were made to see if any of these were fitted to Air New Zealand aircraft. None were and “there was no real likelihood that this particular altimeter would not function correctly.” Lawrence Alfred Coker, a superintendent of air traffic services in the Civil Aviation Division, outlined gro u n d-to-aircraft radio

I transmissions before the crash. i 'He told of the aircraft : crossing into McMurdo base j air space and the subsequent i loss of radio contact.

At 3.41 p.m. on November 28 an “uncertainty” phase was declared, he said, and this was raised to “alert” at 4.27 p.m. and “distress” at 5.55 p.m. Questioned by Mr J. S. Henry, Q.C., for the passengers’ relatives’ consortium, Mr Coker said there should have been no difficulty making radio contact with the ground bases if normal cruising level was maintained. Radio transmissions, like radar, were based on line-of-sight transmissions, he said. Any intervening physical obstructions could block these. Later, Mr Coker said he and his department were not entirely ' satisfied with the communication link with McMurdo base. It was hoped to improve this with a direct telephone system.

“We could riot be satisfied until the link was 100 per cent reliable,” he.. said. “At that stage (last November) it was about 95 per cent and we hoped to have it further improved.”

DCIO CRASH ■ INQUIRY