On 21 November 1973, this USN C-117D had to land on a frozen river in a lava field in Southeastern Iceland. The aircraft was operating out of Keflavik at the time. Everybody survived the incident, but the aircraft was lost. Most of the remains were left on the site. You can still walk there if you want (takes a couple of hours back and forth), but they now also operate a bus that brings you there. For birdwatchers: the area is a famous breeding ground for the great skua (do not approach their nests: they will attack you!).

The very weathered wreck seen from the back. Not much left in there, except black sand. A huge chunk of the cockpit area is also missing as well. The mountains near the South coast provide a great backdrop.

Definitely one of the (if not the) highlights of my week in Iceland. I spent about an hour and a half photographing and exploring the wreck. I wasn't sure if the DC-3 would be popular with many tourists (or as the receptionist at the hostel said when I told her I visited it: "that's boring"), but it really wasn't that bad. Some 5-10/15 people in the area at a given time during my visit. Which means sometimes you had to wait for a clear shot, but well doable in any case.

Crashlanded on the beach at Sólheimasandur on November 24, 1973, following fuel starvation. Rumor has it the pilots switched to the wrong fuel tank. Fortunately the entire crew was able to walk away and nowadays the wreckage is a relatively popular tourist attraction. In the past you could drive up to it, but no more - vehicles have to be parked on a parking lot near the road now and you face a 3,5km hike each way. However, the terrain is easy and it's well worth the visit!

Abandoned after forced landing in 1973, best known in the Netherlands for its appearance in the TV-show 'Wie is de mol' in 2012

This was an immaculately maintained regular visitor to Northolt in the 60s and early70s

The well-known NAF Mildenhall Super Dak at the annual Open House. On 21.11.73 the aircraft encountered severe icing over Iceland during a local supply flight, making it impossible to maintain height, so the crew elected to make a forced landing on a frozen river. The ice broke but 171 stayed afloat. After recovery the remains were abandoned and are still there topped by ice and snow