that's where keith woodford is stationed for the day. >> i was over in the dry valley about 150 kilometers away. we were in brilliantly fine weather. >> captain collins ignores the advice and just after noon he begins his dissent. air traffic control confirms a low overcast and reports of light snow. but below the clouds, visibility is about 40 miles. collins announces to passengers he is hopeful he can descend low enough to give them a good view of ross island. he spots a hole in the cloud cover and is cleared by air traffic control for a visual dissent. the four man crew is having trouble spotting landmarks through the clouds as peter mulgrew walks up to the cockpit. >> peter was asked why aren't you commentating. it's hard to say anything when you can't see anything. they are having problems making contact with air traffic control. sure of his safe position, captain collins continues his dissent. then the captain's confidence is shattered. collins tells his crew that conditions, quote, don't look good at all and that he will have to climb out of it. ominously, a minute later, all transm