Iceland is after all greatest identified for being the ‘Land of Fireplace and Ice’, because of its many volcanoes and glaciers. There are nevertheless another fascinating and considerably uncommon sights, and one in all these is the aircraft wreck on Sólheimasandur, a black seaside on the south coast of Iceland.
It’s a couple of 20-minute drive from Vik however first a shout-out for The Soup Firm in Vik the place we first stopped for some lunch earlier than visiting the aircraft wreck.
The Soup Firm is a superb place to attempt Iceland’s well-known crimson scorching lava soup. It’s their signature beef goulash soup, is filled with flavour and is available in a black lava bread bowl with yoghurt on the facet.
However they do many different soups, too, similar to an Icelandic lamb soup, a curried fish soup with Iceland cod and shrimps, and an Indian winter soup (with carrots, onions, lentils, coconut cream, crushed pineapple and Indian herbs and spices). Should you can’t resolve, merely select the tasting menu (for one) the place you get to attempt three soups in three bowls.
No matter you select, they’re healthful and filling, they usually’ll even refill your bowl if you happen to’d like extra!
Feeling suitably refreshed, we hopped again into the automobile and made our method west alongside Route 1 to see the aircraft wreck.
However first, I’ll give somewhat background to the crash. It was again in 1973 {that a} US Navy transport aircraft bumped into issue and crash-landed on the seaside at Sólheimasandur. The plane was flying from Hofn Hornafjördur Airport to Naval Air Station Keflavik, after delivering provides to the radar station at Stokksnes. Though reported because the wreck of a Douglas DC-3, it’s really the stays of a transformed Douglas C-117.
Totally different theories abound as to what brought on the crash. The Airline Security Community states theat the airplane skilled extreme icing, ensuing within the crew being unable to keep up altitude, forcing thet aircraft to land. Some say, although, that the crash occurred due to a failure by one of many pilots when switching between gas tanks, ensuing within the aircraft working out of gas and being compelled to land. Apparently there was thick fog and visibility was so poor that there have been instances when the crew was unable to see the guidelines of the wings.
There’s even confusion on the date of the crash. Many reviews say it got here down on twenty fourth November 1973, but the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið reviews, on the twenty second November 1973, that it had crashed the day earlier than the date of publication. This date of twenty first November 1973 appears to be correct, and is backed up by the Aviation Security Community abstract.
No matter occurred, and on no matter date, each crew member survived with out important accidents and the stays of the aircraft have been deserted on the seaside. The aircraft was subsequently stripped by the US Navy of something of worth, however the principle fuselage nonetheless lies the place the aircraft crashed. It has beforehand been used as storage by the farmer whose land it had crashed on, in addition to for goal follow by native hunters (which accounts for the bullet holes you would possibly see), however has since turn out to be a vacationer attraction in its personal proper, most likely helped by protection it has acquired in music movies and on TV (see beneath).
You used to have the ability to drive all the way in which to the crash web site, and even keep in a single day there, however each are not attainable. Though it’s located on non-public land, you may, nevertheless, nonetheless go to and there’s a massive automobile park simply off the principle Route 1 ring street.
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Most individuals go to on foot from right here, however there may be the choice to take the Aircraft Wreck Shuttle. Though folks waited a short time for this after we have been there, it quickly materialised that it was not working. Up to now, there was the choice to rent a ‘fats bike’ however we noticed no proof of this on the time of our go to.
An indication tells guests that it takes 3-4 hours to hike each methods. This doesn’t appear all that lifelike for my part – on a very good day, I feel it may be accomplished a method in about half-hour if strolling briskly or inside an hour if strolling at a extra comfy tempo. That mentioned, maybe a beneficiant time estimate is given for good purpose for the reason that climate can change rapidly and may adversely have an effect on visibility, so it’s greatest to err on the facet of warning. Do take care – an American vacationer died in 2017 near the aircraft, as did two Chinese language vacationers of their early 20s in 2020, presumably caught out by antagonistic climate situations. It’s subsequently a good suggestion to test Iceland’s climate service (vedur.is) earlier than venturing out. And don’t overlook the emergency quantity in Iceland which is 112.
The trail to the aircraft wreck is extra clearly outlined these days than it has been prior to now, helped by occasional reflective markers within the floor, hopefully decreasing the chance of individuals getting misplaced. As walks go, it’s not a really thrilling one – you’re principally strolling over a glacial outwash plain that appears like this.
Finally, after about two miles of this nearly post-apocalyptic panorama, the trail monitor veers to the left and the aircraft comes into view within the distance.
After we arrived, there have been folks climbing throughout it. I’ve learn that that is unlawful however am undecided if that is true. Regardless, I wouldn’t advocate it – firstly, there are components of the aircraft that didn’t look very steady; secondly, it wouldn’t be an important place to slide and twist an ankle (or worse nonetheless, break a leg); and thirdly, it’s simply not very thoughtful to different folks visiting and desirous to take pictures.
While the aircraft wreck is sort of fascinating to see and go searching, I don’t assume you’ll want that lengthy there upon getting seen it. It’s an interesting scene in the course of nowhere, surrounded by mile upon mile of nothingness – simply black sand so far as the attention can see.
You possibly can see contained in the dilapidated fuselage. Apparently the plane served in each Korean and Vietnamese wars earlier than being deployed to Iceland’s Keflavik Airport.
In contrast to a lot of Iceland’s sights, the aircraft wreck differtiates itself as a result of it’s solely synthetic, offering a placing distinction with its in any other case untouched pure atmosphere.
This surreal scene – a gray fuselage set towards a black backdrop and sometimes a gray sky, appears extra like a scene from a science fiction film that it does actuality. For that reason additionally, after all, it represents a photographer’s paradise.
For quite a few years, the native Icelandic folks didn’t regard the wreckage to be one thing of worldwide curiosity and fascination and even mentioned have it eliminated as a result of it was a blot on an in any other case untouched and pristine panorama.
Given its enduring recognition these days, it appears unlikely that this can ever occur. However, I’m positive many would query the enchantment in visiting this wreck given the numerous pure wonders that you can go to in Iceland as an alternative.
Maybe it’s the otherworldly panorama that the wreck is ready in in addition to the thriller that surrounds the crash that provides to the intrigue. One factor for positive is that the publicity that the wreck has acquired via numerous media has definitely elevated consciousness of, and curiosity in, the location. Maybe most famously of all, Justin Bieber’s video for the track I’ll Present You options him skateboarding on the highest of it. Watch from 2 minutes 11 seconds.
The music video for the track Gerua within the Bollywood movie Diwale sees actors Shah Rukh Khan (aka SRK) and Kajol posing on high of the aircraft. Watch from 1 min 31 seconds.
And the music video for the track Let Me In, from Korean woman group Loona, additionally options the aircraft. Watch from 53 seconds.
Mercurio by Emis Killa is yet one more music video to characteristic the wreck. Watch from 1m 38 seconds.
Lastly, the aircraft wreck additionally seems when Mikael encounters it within the Netflix sci-fi drama, Katla.
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You possibly can watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here. You possibly can briefly see footage of the aircraft wreck between 5m 23s and 5m 29s:
Disclosure: Our journey to Iceland was additionally sponsored by Helly Hansen.
