Sólheimasandur DC-3 Plane Wreck

South Coast

On November 21, 1973, a US Navy Douglas C-117D — a military transport in the DC-3 family — made an emergency landing on the black sand plain of Sólheimasandur after severe icing seized both engines. All seven crew members survived. The aircraft was abandoned in place, and the stripped white fuselage against the dark featureless sand has become one of Iceland's most photographed sights. Reaching the wreck requires a 4 km walk each way across flat, exposed terrain with almost no landmarks. The round trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Private vehicles are banned from the beach, so the walk from the car park off Route 1 is mandatory; some operators run shuttle services. The terrain is flat, but wind and blown sand are a real factor — dress in layers and protect your eyes in gusty conditions. The wreck is photogenic in almost any weather; overcast skies with dramatic clouds suit the atmosphere particularly well. In winter, snow can obscure the path markers, so follow them carefully — the wreck stays hidden behind dunes until you are close.

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