What happened to the Solheimasandur plane?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on April 23, 2026
What happened to the Sólheimasandur plane?
In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, in the South Coast of Iceland. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived. Later it turned out that the pilot had simply switched over to the wrong fuel tank.
What plane crashed in Iceland?
The 1973 US Navy C-117D Sólheimasandur Crash, commonly known as the Sólheimasandur Crash, is a crashed US Navy Douglas C-117D located in Sólheimasandur on the southern coast of Iceland….1973 US Navy C-117D Sólheimasandur Crash.
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Registration | 17171 |
| Flight origin | Hornafjörður Airport (HFN/BIHN), Iceland |
| Destination | Naval Air Station Keflavik |
| Crew | 7 |
Where is the abandoned airplane in Iceland?
Sólheimasandur
The Sólheimasandur airplane wreckage is located on Iceland’s Southern coast between Skógafoss waterfall and the town of Vik. After driving past Skógafoss going East on Route 1, you’ll cross a bridge with blinking yellow lights and a dirt access road to Sólheimajökull Glacier on the left.
How long is the walk to Sólheimasandur plane wreck?
The hike (or walk) to the plane wreck in Iceland is 7 km (4.3 miles) round trip. Since we both run, the distance did not sound too bad. However, it felt like it took forever, especially on the way to the airplane. In the end, it took us about 35 minutes to hike out and about 40 minutes to hike back without rushing.
How long does it take to walk to the plane crash in Iceland?
40 minutes to 1
Walking to the Iceland Plane Crash What is this? The walk to the plane is across two miles of flat and fairly featureless desert, and will take you 40 minutes to 1 hour each way, depending on how fast you go on the conditions at the time you visit.
What is Iceland airport called?
Keflavík International Airport
Important information. Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is the main airport for Iceland. Icelandair flights to Europe and North American destinations arrive and depart from KEF.
How far is plane wreck from Iceland?
The plane crash is on the black sand beach of Sólheimasandur, which is about four miles south of the Iceland ring road along the south coast of Iceland between Skógar and Dyrhólaey.
Where do you park for plane crash in Iceland?
To get to the wreck you need to walk from the parking lot, which is located south of the Ring Road between the village Vík and Skógar waterfall. If you are heading east to Vík the parking lot is to your right shortly after crossing the river Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi.
Can you swim in Reynisfjara?
Our tour guides have had to battle with people who have wanted to take a dip in the dangerous sea by Reynisfjara, and who have run towards the waves as soon as the tour guides turn their heads! They claim to be very strong swimmers and that this sea could not harm them, sic!
Where is Reynisfjara located?
Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland, just beside the small fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. With its enormous basalt stacks, roaring Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches.
Is Reynisfjara beach black sand?
How strong are the waves at Reynisfjara?
The waves at Reynisfjara are known for their volatility and unpredictability, and it is important to be aware of the risks involved with getting too close to them while exploring the beach. The roaring waves of Reynisfjara are extremely strong and often push a lot further up the beach than one might expect.
Why should you visit Reynisfjara Beach?
It is said that to stand on Reynisfjara Beach is akin to being in a natural amphitheater where the white water of the Atlantic waves provides the drama. At any time of year, and in any light, this is a place of great beauty which will remind people that they can never be far from the powerful forces of nature which shaped the island of Iceland.
