You are in: Home » Publications » Bulletins » Bulletin 153 » ASPA 156
Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 156
Lewis Bay, Mount Erebus, Ross Island
1. Description of values to be protected
An area on the lower slopes of Mount
Erebus, above Lewis Bay on the north side of Ross Island, was originally
declared a tomb after notification by New Zealand
that 257 people of several nationalities lost their lives when the DC-10
aircraft in which they were travelling crashed at this site on 28 November
1979. In spite
of the determined and courageous actions of the New Zealand and United
States Antarctic expeditions the bodies of some of those who died could not
be recovered.
Expressing deep sympathy with the relatives of those who died and with
the Government and people of New Zealand, the tomb was declared to ensure that
the
area be left
in peace and kept inviolate.
A six-foot oregon timber cross erected as a memorial to those who lost
their lives was replaced on 30 January 1987 with a cross of stainless steel,
located
on a rocky promontory overlooking and approximately 3 km from the site.
This site is not part of the protected area, but is proposed as an Historic
Monument
in recognition of the commemorative and symbolic values of the cross.
2. Aims and objectives
- avoid degradation of, or substantial risk to, the values of the Area;
- ensure the crash site is kept inviolate;
- allow visits to the site of the memorial cross;
- allow visits for support of the management plan.
3. Management activities
- All pilots operating in the region shall be informed of the location, boundaries and restrictions applying to entry and over-flight in the Area;
- Visits shall be made for inspection and to assess whether the Area continues to serve the purposes for which it was designated;
- National Antarctic Programmes operating in the region shall consult to ensure these steps are done.
4. Period of designation
Designated for an indefinite period.
5. Maps and photographs
Map A: Lewis Bay protected area topographic map.
Figure 1: Photograph of the Lewis Bay area and crash site from the
memorial cross.
6. Description of the Area
6(i) Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features
The designated Area on Ross Island (Map A) encompasses the crash zone (centered on 167° 28’ 30”E, 77° 25’ 29”S, elevation 520 m (1720 feet)) and the surrounding glacial ice 2 km above and to either side of this position, extends as a 4 km wide ‘rectangle’ down to the sea, and includes the airspace above this region to an altitude of 1000 m (3280 feet) with the exception of a 200 m wide air access ‘corridor’ along the coastline. The west boundary of the Area is the 167° 23’ 33”E meridian; the east boundary is the 167° 33’ 27”E meridian. The south boundary is the 77° 26’ 33”S parallel, while the north boundary is defined by the coastline. The aircraft’s primary impact occurred at an elevation of 446.7 m: debris was spread up-slope 570 m from that point over an area 120 m wide to an elevation of 580 m (1900 feet). Much of the aircraft wreckage is now buried in ice and is slowly moving down-slope with the glacier to the sea (Figure 1). The bodies of some of those who died could not be recovered and remain in the Area.
6(ii) Restricted zones within the Area
None.
6(iii) Structures within and near the Area
The stainless steel memorial cross (proposed as a Historic Monument) is located on a rock outcrop (167° 33’ 43”E, 77° 26’ 38”S; elevation 810 m (2660 feet)) approximately 3 km SE of the crash site, and is a symbol of the special significance of the Area. No other structures exist within or near the Area. Debris from the aircraft remains in situ.
6(iv) Location of other protected areas within close proximity of the Area
The nearest protected area to Lewis Bay is ASPA 130 at Tramway Ridge. New College Valley ASPA 116 (at Cape Bird) and Cape Royds ASPA 121 are to the west and Cape Crozier ASPA 125 is to the east on Ross Island.
7. Permit conditions
Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit issued by appropriate national authorities.
7(i) Access to and movement within the Area
Land vehicles are prohibited within the Area and access shall be by foot or by helicopter. Overflight of the Area is prohibited below 1000 m (3280 feet) above sea level. An exception to the overflight restriction is provided by a 200 m wide access ‘corridor’ through the area immediately adjacent to the coastline when visibility or conditions make avoidance of the Area otherwise impractical. Use of helicopter smoke grenades within the Area is prohibited.
7(ii) Activities that are or may be conducted in the Area, including restrictions on time or place
All visits to the Area for any purpose shall be made recognising the principal values to be protected in the Area, and as far as possible the Area should be left in peace.
7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures
No structures are to be erected within the Area except as specified in a Permit.
7(iv) Location of field camps
Camping is prohibited within the Area.
7(v) Restrictions on materials which can be brought into the Area
It is prohibited to introduce any materials into the Area.
7(vi) Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna
Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna is prohibited.
7(vii) Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder
Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder is prohibited.
7(viii) Disposal of waste
It is prohibited to dispose of any waste within the Area.
7(ix) Measures that are necessary to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Management Plan can continue to be met
None specified.
7(x) Requirements for reports
Parties should ensure that the principal holder for each permit issued submit to the appropriate authority a report describing the activities undertaken.
About Acrobat/PDF files