The DC-3 plane wreck is also known as the Sólheimasandur plane crash. It is a very famous photographer’s location, located on the blacks sand in the South of Iceland. Make sure you see it sooner rather than later. It is not expected to be there forever, as it is located on a glacial outwash plain. If there is an eruption underneath the glacier Mýrdalsjökull, there is a high chance the floodwater could wash the wreckage away.
The History
On Wednesday 21st November 1973, the routine US Navy flight, flying from Hofn, ran out of fuel and crashed onto the bland sand beach, here in Sólheimasandur. Luckily, everybody survived the crash. It is believed the pilot had swapped to the wrong fuel tank, which caused the plane to crash.
How To Find It
Located along the south coast of Iceland, 20-minute drive, west from Vik. There is a car park located just off the Icelandic ring road, Route 1. Park up and put on a good pair of walking shoes. There is a 2.5mile walk to it on a well-marked, gravel path. The signpost at the start of the walk says to allow 3 hours to do the route; we did it in 2 hours. Make sure you wrap up warm, as there is no shelter on the walk.
If you are after some good shots of the wreckage, get there early before everyone else. We managed to just beat the crowds. Just after taking some good photos, a big group of people turned up and started to climb all over the wreckage. You should not climb on the plane as it is becoming very fragile. People are ignoring the signs and are damaging it. Soon it will not be there for photographers and other people to enjoy. Also, if you have a drone, get it up. We got some great drone footage, as you will see in the video below.
