Man suffers ‘phobic anxiety neurosis’

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 53

Man suffers ‘phobic anxiety neurosis’

PA Wellington : Decompression problems on an Air New Zealand flight between Wellington and Auckland eight years ago left a contractor, aged 40, with a phobic anxiety .neurosis, a judge appointed by the Accident Compensation Appeal Authority has decided. j The 1 appellant, Mr Ted Clark of Kaitaia, lodged an application with the Accident Compensation Corporation in! January, 1984. It was supported by [a report from Dr Hanne !Van der Wei, a psychiatrist at Whangarei Hospital, who attributed Mr Clark’s problems to the events ’ which took place on the plane on September 26, .1979. I The’ (doctor (. reported that the (plane appeared to have lost its door and the passenger compartment became: depressurised. Mr Clark’s case was at .first supported by Dr L. IK. Glubkman. who had (examined him on behalf of the (corporation. : \ But a [report from Air [New Zealand said there were only minor problems 'With “no record” of any ;passenger complaining or reporting a disability or any discomfort "and certainly [no door was lost due to [this incident.” Judge Middleton said becausb of this Dr Gluck-

man changed his initial assessment, considering the circumstances described by the appellant were hot correct and he must I have been either lying 'or resorting to fantasy. [ I ' Thh corporation [decided Ito decline the claim but Mr Clark sought a review of the [ corporation’s [decision. [ i MJ .[ A further report by Air New | Zealand’s principal medical officer, Dr IL. J. Thompson, said Mr Clark believed that the hostess on his flight was subsequently, killed in the DC10: crash oh Mount Erebus. ' | i ; I “He is definitely mistaken on that point,” Dr Thompson said. [ i [ Mr! Clark’s description of “all - hell breaking loose” was remarkably similar to events in the film (‘Airport,” he said. I From the records available I he concluded that there were only- “minor problems” on the flight that produced only minor signs. | ' .[ Judge Middleton sa,id he was concerned the Air New; Zealand imports “in no way tallied with the very! vivid description given by the appellant.” So he took - evidence from Mr Tim Park, who had I _ accompanied Mr Clark’on a business trip} to inspect a tractor,, on the

day of the flight. [• Mr Park, an experienced commercial I deepsea diver, | described [ a severe bang that he was aware resulted from [[ a decompression problem. He thought [he recalled an announcement by. the captain that there was an emergency J [ ! I' ; : He recalled Mr Clark visibly shaking and being unable to put on his oxygen mask.! Mr Park said he had to bo it for him. The Judge said [that Mr Park’s recollection was “that the [effect ion the plane was that it propped suddenly! [as though | it were a | lift going down and that it was his! view that most of the! passengers were visibly disturbed by what' .‘had occurred." [ 'll'l' !' “I am[ satisfied ion the appellant’s evidence and particularly on Mr Park’s evidence i that [a very frightening experience occurred' [which was quite! shattering! so far [as the appellant was concerned.” Air New Zealand later supplied a report which described I events) so similar to those described by Mr Clark,' and Mr Park that the [Judge [.said Ihe believed they must have been travelling bh Flight 436 on! Tuesday!'September' 26; 1979. They had been unsure of the exact date. [J ( •;[') J !