David John Bennett

Dave (David) Bennett was born in Binfield, Berkshire, UK. Coming to New Zealand as a merchant seaman, he met our mum Silvia. They married and had two children, Simone and Nicholas. He was a loving father, with crazy sense of humour. Taking us on adventures and having barbecues on Takapuna Beach. He loved cooking and wasn’t afraid to do housework. He loved his parents and siblings and put his sister through university when he was first working. Dave worked for Air New Zealand for nine years and was an assistant purser when he died. He was sub-editor for the union magazine, a true professional who also liked a good party. Having flown to Antarctica before, he was excited to go again. Losing him changed our lives forever. A part of all of us died. We wish we could see his face, hear his voice or hug him again. We miss him every day. Source: Nicholas and Simone Bennett, children, and Silvia Bennett, wife via https://insights.nzherald.co.nz/apps/2019/erebus/

On the morning of 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 left Mangere airport, Auckland, for an 11-hour return sightseeing flight to Antarctica. At 12.49 p.m. (NZST), the aircraft crashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew on board. It was the worst civil disaster in New Zealand's history. Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/erebus-disaster