On the 21st November 1973, a United States Navy DC3 plane was flying back to Keflavik from Hofn after delivering supplies. During the flight the aircraft experienced severe icing forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing on Sólheimasandur Beach. Fortunately, all crew members survived and were rescued by helicopter. The DC3 was deemed unsalvageable, all sensitive equipment was removed leaving behind only the fuselage (it was the Cold War then and Iceland served as a military base for the United States and NATO). Since then, the wreckage has been lying on the beach, exposed to the elements as a testament to that fateful day.

Continue reading “Ghost of Winters Past: The Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck”