B-24 Crash Site

[AK]

I was up at the bottom of Humphreys Sunday and happened to spot the location of the B-24 crash site. I took azhikers advise and brought a compass with me and took a bearing of about 46 degrees from the trailhead. And sure enough I found it with a pair of bonoculars. The sun was just right to see the aluminium skin of the plane glistening in the sun. I plan on going back soon to check it out. Hope that this aids anyone trying to find it because I've heard that its difficult to find from the trail. Also here are some photos that I took.

http://hikearizona.com/dex2/igallery/album.php?id=25

[Nighthiker]

For more inforamtion on aircraft crashes in Arizona, google aircraftarchaeology A book on aircraft crashes is also available.

[sniffnpiss]

In response to AK's reply:

There is also a plane crash right on the East Baldy trail of Mount Baldy. It is approximately 3/4 mile from peak. The story is that back in the forties aviation maps had Baldy a 100 feet shorter, this plane was flying in clouds by map and compass(bummer). Its a twin engine plane, like Ameltha Earharts plane. The engines are buried in the dirt about 50 feet up from the crash. there is cowling pieces down along the old West Baldy trail in the creek bottom.

[woopitup]

I visited this area a few years ago and found MANY aircraft parts. A lot of misc. sheared off metal fragments and some actual large pieces. Although I was looking for the impact site, I pretty much stumbled up on it?? I've spent 10 years in aviation and found it to be very interesting to explore! Having witnessed a couple aircaft crashes it was also somewhat sobering to walk around the crash area...

sophia

[pfredricks]

It was overcast yesterday when I was there, and I could see the reflections from metal clear as day with the naked eye. I couldnt remember any of the descriptions that people wrote to get there, but, now reading them it seems like it would be easy enough to find ( I say that but...) If your picture is correct AK, I saw the exact same thing.
-Pete

[inluvwac]

Can anyone tell me exactly why the main part of the plane is buried? Or is it?

[Nighthiker]

Most wreckage may have been carted off. In the book Faded Contrals, it mentions that at some crash sites the metal was melted down and made into ingots and then removed from the crash site.

[azhiker96]

Can anyone tell me exactly why the main part of the plane is buried? Or is it?

The Army Air Corp undoubtedly did some cleanup. They would have gathered the bodies of the crew, any armament, the radios, and the bombsite (top secret at the time). I would guess it was easiest to get that stuff by toting out the mashed up fuselage. The wings, engines, and landing gear would not have been classified enough to warrant cleanup.

[Hokulea]

More information on the aircraft that crashed on the side of Humphrey's Pk. can be found by googling aircraftarchaeology B-17G Fortress

The basic info: B-17G # 42-102899, 18 September 1944.

[azhiker96]

In response to Hokulea's reply:

The one I've visited is this one. It's a B-24 that crashed on 15 Sep 1944.

[inluvwac]

More information on the aircraft that crashed on the side of Humphrey's Pk. can be found by googling aircraftarchaeology B-17G Fortress
The basic info: B-17G # 42-102899, 18 September 1944.

I would love to see this as the Flying Fortress is probably my favorite plane of all time.

[Nighthiker]

A B-17 flies out of Falcon Field and I think next weekend another B-17 will also be flying out of the west valley. A B-25 is also at Falcon Filed in Mesa for a couple of more weeks.

[Hoffmaster]

I have a client in Falcon Field who did the 100 hour inspection/tune-up on the B-25 recently. I was at the hangar when the work was being done and I had the priveledge of talking to the owner of the plane. He told me fascinating stories about the bomber and the history behind it. He also told me that he supports the upkeep of the plane by giving rides in it. $300 per person! Ouch!

A few days prior to that, I took my sister, an Air Force officer and pilot, to Falcon Field and we got to scramble around inside the B-17. That was pretty cool, and it certainly made her day!

[Davis2001r6]

$300 for a plane ride in a B-25 sounds pretty reasonable to me. Heck it's going to cost you $100 to fly a Cesna.

[azdesertfather]

More information on the aircraft that crashed on the side of Humphrey's Pk. can be found by googling aircraftarchaeology B-17G Fortress
The basic info: B-17G # 42-102899, 18 September 1944.

I didn't know there was a 2nd plane crash on Humphreys, I just knew about the B24. Is this crash site accessible? If so, where is it?

[Jim]

There is only the one, the other is in the White Mts, (at least from this thread).

I've been through the crash about 8 or 9 times this year (its on my regular way up and down the peak). Mostly whats left are fragments. Its also really easy to get to, come up the Dutchman and once at the top of it head north on the mountain by about 500 to 750 feet and continue upslope at the same grade you were going in the Dutchman. Well below the wreck you will start to see large metal pieces in the trees. Once you see these, just head straight upslope.

[azdesertfather]

aircraft archaeology says it crashed into San Francisco Peaks, and shows pictures. http://www.aircraftarchaeology.com/B-17G%20Fortress.htm

I've also read about a B18 that crashed on Humphreys, at http://www.p-38.com/B-18%20wreck%20Nort ... rizona.htm

Sorry for posting URLs, wasn't sure which other way to reference these :wist: :guilty:

[azdesertfather]

does anyone have a GPS route for the B24 site? I see none are posted yet on the HAZ page...

[CdnInAz]

Reopening this topic with a link to website I just found (hope that is OK, not sure how else to share). I've been reading about the B-24 and had not heard of the B-17 until read comments above. Googled "San Francisco Peaks B-24 B-17", found this. Very interesting write ups. Only three days between crashes. I have two new additions to my hiking bucket list!!

http://www.lostflights...

While writing, I'll post a question:

I hiked Humphreys Summit Trail #151 yesterday, hoped to take a spur from that trail on way down to the B-24 but that turned out to be overly optimistic for same day, so did not. Hope to go back up soon. Does anyone know for certain that off trail is permitted? There is a sign at 11,400 feet saying not allowed, $500 fine. I had assumed below was OK. But I spoke to a local hiker on her way down while I was on way up - she said she hikes here often. I mentioned the B-24 and she said that area is off trail and violators can be fined.

[chumley]

There is no prohibition to hiking off-trail below 11,400 feet. Higher up it is prohibited to protect the endangered groundsel.