The Icelandic plane wreck is not only an attraction for tourists, it is also a scenery from films or even a music video by Justin Bieber.
Crash
The plane was on 21st November 1973 from Höfn (South of Iceland) on the way to Keflavík, until it crashed due to inexplicable reasons. Whether the crash was due to the weather, too little fuel, machine problems or human error could not be clarified. The best known theory, however, is a mixture of everything: The pilot is supposed to have switched to the wrong tank, whereupon the aircraft crashed due to the heavy thunderstorm. But the most important thing: All passengers remained unharmed!
Where is the wreck?
The car park from where you get to the wreck is located between the town of Vík and the Skógafoss waterfall. You can’t see the plane from the car park as it is 3.5 kilometres from the road. For this reason, you should prepare for a longer hike. The black sand created an atmosphere like on another planet.
Conditions
The way to the plane wreck is not asphalted, but not difficult. However, the only thing that complicates the way is the weather. In summer, it shouldn’t be a problem to take the road, but in winter it’s not recommended. The wreck is not far from the coast, which can cause strong winds. Also, on the way one is not protected from the wind, as there is nothing around except flat land. Due to the few hours of sunshine in winter, it is very dangerous to make your way to the wreck, which is why the ICE-SAR is often called upon to “rescue” tourists who have lost their way or had an accident. Getting lost in Sólheimasandur is really no fun; there have been deaths.
Those who are not sure if they will make it, can take the bus for 2000 ISK (about 15€), which departs every half hour from 10am to 6pm. If you only want to take the bus back, you have to pay 1500 ISK, about 10€.
Important!
- Dress according to the weather! Pull out several layers that are not only windproof, but also waterproof!
- Follow the path so that you don’t get lost.
- The weather can change by the minute, so get ready for anything.
- In winter it quickly gets dark; choose the best time to see the wreck.
- Don’t climb on the plane; forbidden!
- In case of emergency call 112.
