On the black sand beach of Sólheimasandur lies the wreckage of a US Navy Douglas DC-3, which crashed in 1973. The wreck has become an unexpected tourist attraction, a desolate site where the remains of the aircraft offer a post-apocalyptic aesthetic. This plane is an aviation icon that played a crucial role in the development of commercial and military aviation worldwide. It has also left an indelible mark on Icelandic soil. Visiting this plane wreck is a must for all aviation enthusiasts and photographers.
I had already seen photos of a plane wreck on a black sand beach in southern Iceland and always thought I should visit the site once in Iceland. According to many, the site is not very interesting. This is because, apart from the plane wreck, there is nothing for miles around, and the sense of solitude can be striking (when there aren’t too many people, of course). I find the DC-3 wreck site fascinating. It offers an incredible visual contrast with the rusted remains of the aircraft.
DC-3 plane wreck on Sólheimasandur beach
History of the DC-3 in Iceland
The Douglas DC-3 is a twin-engine propeller transport aircraft, produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft. It is regarded as a relic of the golden age of air transport. It was used by the US Navy in Iceland during the 1970s. Indeed, Iceland hosted a US military base on its territory until 2005, under a defence agreement between the two countries.
The accident
The crash of the plane on Sólheimasandur occurred on Wednesday, November 21, 1973. The aircraft had just delivered military supplies near Höfn, located on Iceland’s east coast. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing on Sólheimasandur Beach. The reasons for the crash remain unclear. The most likely cause is that the engines may have frozen due to the low temperatures or there may have been a fuel shortage. Regardless, this DC-3 has survived many winters and storms. Even though the wreckage has deteriorated significantly, it is impressive that so much of it remains. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The plane made an emergency landing on a frozen river.
One wonders how the occupants, once on solid ground, managed to seek help… They must have issued a Mayday before their forced landing. I read that they were rescued an hour later by a US Navy helicopter from Keflavik Airport.
Visiting the DC-3 pane wreck
As you can see in the photos, the wreck is heavily damaged. The DC-3 has suffered from exposure to the elements. It no longer has its nose, tail, or wings… You can also see what remains of the cockpit with the electrical cables hanging down.
Climbing on or into the plane is now prohibited, but enforcing this rule with tourists is challenging. When an accident eventually occurs and the wreckage gives way, access to the site will be restricted in a different manner. Sharp, rusty metal parts can be blown away or fall off in the wind.
I admit that on all the sites, tourists use them for their photo shoots. After all, nature is just there as a backdrop. I’ve even seen some who nearly undressed to change outfits, climbed onto the wings in heels… and I only stayed at the DC-3 site for half an hour, fortunately. Iceland suffers from overtourism, especially in summer.
I’m not going to lie, apart from the plane wreck, there isn’t much else nearby. Thirty minutes on site is sufficient. In the distance, you can see the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Do you remember the volcano that disrupted air traffic in 2010? Eyjafjallajökull (pronounced ‘eya-fyalla-yökul’). Its ash was particularly dangerous. That’s the one you can see in the distance…
A comparison between 2 wrecks: the Catalina seaplane in Saudi Arabia and the DC-3 in Iceland
This is the second time I’ve visited a plane wreck on a beach, in countries with extremely different conditions. Despite the contrasting climates, both the cold of Iceland and the heat of Saudi Arabia deteriorate these aircraft in similar ways. The DC-3 in Iceland endures the cold and snow, which gradually degrade it. In Saudi Arabia, the Catalina seaplane faces the scorching sun and the salty air of the Red Sea, which corrodes its metal. These wrecks demonstrate that nature, whether hot or cold, wears everything down over time. Since I frequently travel to Saudi Arabia, I am well-acquainted with the seaplane site. This is also why my curiosity was piqued, leading me to explore the wreck in Iceland.
Visiting the DC-3 plane wreck
The wreck is accessible year-round, but it’s best to visit when visibility is good. A parking area has recently been constructed near the main road. There are two options for reaching the DC-3 plane wreck site:
Hiking
There is a small sign at the entrance of the parking area indicating the distance and duration: it is 4.1 km one way, making a total of 7 km for a round trip to see the plane. The path is well-marked and flat, making the approach easy. Allow between 2 to 2.5 hours for the round trip. There is absolutely nothing else on site apart from the wreck!
Shuttle Service
It is also possible to take a shuttle to reach the plane wreck. The shuttle runs every half hour, and the journey takes 8 minutes. Visitors usually spend around 30 minutes at the site while waiting for the next shuttle. The round-trip ticket costs 3000 ISK (€20).
The future of the DC-3 plane wreck on Sólheimasandur Beach is uncertain due to its proximity to the Katla volcano, one of Iceland’s most dangerous (the one where you can visit the beautiful ice cave). The region is known for its glacial floods that can occur during subglacial eruptions. Such an eruption could potentially inundate the wreck, a scenario that some consider inevitable…
