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BlackCloud
05-26-2006, 07:08
So I've heard & read about some airplane ruins near Muskrat Creek shelter in So. NC.

Anyone have more info and/or directions?????

Gray Blazer
05-26-2006, 07:58
I had nothing to do with it! I wasn't anywhere near there!

Gray Blazer
05-26-2006, 08:48
Seriously, I don't know about that one. There is the remains of a helicopter up near Hell Ridge north of Mt. Guyot. Saw it 2 years ago. Looked like it was a pretty bad crash. If you search the forums here there are remains of several aircraft crashes along the AT.

mrc237
05-26-2006, 11:01
Back in 00' there was some remains but nothing I would search around for. BTW Audie Murphy America's most decorated Soldier of WWII was killed in an airplane crash near the AT and a local VFW post erected a memorial to him. Co-incidently on my 00' hike I camped there on Memorial Day weekend. I remember writing in my journal, "how fitting to be camped here on this date at a sacred place dedicated to a Great American. America, land of the free and home of the Brave".

Sly
05-26-2006, 15:10
I thought it was pretty neat and snapped of a small section of wing as a souvenir.

Heading north, the wreck is to the right off the blue blazed side trail (l) to a rock outcrop (view) shortly before the shelter trail (r).

buckowens
08-23-2007, 12:12
I was wondering if anybody had any info as to when this crash occurred. As a pilot, I wanted to see what type aircraft it was and what the conditions were.

Here are a few pics I took...

The Weasel
08-23-2007, 12:41
So I've heard & read about some airplane ruins near Muskrat Creek shelter in So. NC.

Anyone have more info and/or directions?????

Saw some parts just before leaving GSMNP moving north in '00.

The Weasel

zelph
08-23-2007, 13:57
I was wondering if anybody had any info as to when this crash occurred. As a pilot, I wanted to see what type aircraft it was and what the conditions were.

Here are a few pics I took...

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2237&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1187885532 (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2237&d=1187885532) there is a section of perffed aluminum there that would make a good potstand or stove.:)

JAK
08-23-2007, 14:02
BTW Audie Murphy America's most decorated Soldier of WWII was killed in an airplane crash near the AT and a local VFW post erected a memorial to him. Co-incidently on my 00' hike I camped there on Memorial Day weekend. I remember writing in my journal, "how fitting to be camped here on this date at a sacred place dedicated to a Great American. America, land of the free and home of the Brave".Why is it that serendipity always happens when you least expect it?

springerfever
08-23-2007, 14:07
There is plane wreckage less than a mile before reaching Muskrat Creek shelter. If you were headed north on the AT, it would be off to the left, and if I remember correctly it is on the way to a very scenic rocky overlook. You should see a faintly marked trail which leads to the overlook and you will pass the wreckage along the way.....

hiker33
08-24-2007, 10:27
The side trail heads west just south of the side trail to the shelter, maybe a hundred yards or so. The wreckage is to the right of the side trail (north) , which is worth taking for the views from the cliffs in any case. If there's a lot of summer growth the wreckage may be hard to find. It's strewn about the woods about halfway between the AT and the overlook. Look for herd paths made by others

Grampie
08-25-2007, 09:44
During my hike in 2001 I met three guys from Washington, D.C.. They were at the Cosby Knob shelter and they had a piece of an airplane wing with them.
They had a hobby of seeking out airplane crash sites and had done three that weekend.
They had access to a government web site that listed all airplane crashes. It contained info. on the crash including GPS location and the people involved.
It sounded like an interesting hobby.

BlackCloud
08-25-2007, 13:07
They had a hobby of seeking out airplane crash sites and had done three that weekend.
It sounded like an interesting hobby.

If you don't mind rumaging through materials that once encapsulated people who were violently killed at that spot, I guess it would be.

:-?

Grampie
08-26-2007, 10:25
If you don't mind rumaging through materials that once encapsulated people who were violently killed at that spot, I guess it would be.

:-?

What I was told is that most of the wreckage is removed and often they could not even find a trace of the airctaft.
It gave these guys a reason to get into the woods, hike and camp.

buckowens
08-26-2007, 10:34
What I was told is that most of the wreckage is removed and often they could not even find a trace of the aircraft.
It gave these guys a reason to get into the woods, hike and camp.

After some research, there appear to be many aviation archeology organizations that try to find crash sites of mainly military aircraft. Many of which crashed pilot-less, as the crew had the ability to jump or eject and part ways with the aircraft. As I pilot myself for the last 24 years, I find crash sites a place a reverence to a fallen brother or sister, but interesting nonetheless. They took off to either get somewhere, or to see the sights and never made it. Having crashed once myself in a helicopter, I like the ones they walk away from much better :D .

I always tell folks, whatever it takes to get into the woods is a good thing. :banana I love that ---- bannana...

Bahama Dave
10-05-2007, 19:01
Hard to find but it is there off the path to Raven Rock Cliffs to the right.
Bahama Dave

WILLIAM HAYES
10-06-2007, 08:48
you can see some of the plane parts just off the trail as I recall going northbound it was on the right

Frosty
10-06-2007, 10:44
If you don't mind rumaging through materials that once encapsulated people who were violently killed at that spot, I guess it would be.

:-?Yeah, but touring battlefields is a hobby/tourist activity most people don't object to, and it's pretty similar to visiting an airplane crash site. In this case, because the crash sites are so isolated, I think it is more the finding it, and thinking, "Wow, right here the plane crashed."

I'm guessing of the wreckage from crash sites is removed and recyled. Undoubtably we have all placed our lips on a beer or soda can containing materials that once encapsulated people who were violently killed. SOmething to think about :D

Appalachian Tater
10-06-2007, 14:49
It's no different from diving to look at shipwrecks.

Millions of people have visited the hole where the World Trade Center was. That was a double plane crash plus a lot more death and destruction. To me it is a little creepy that it has become such a tourist attraction.

Vidalia
01-26-2009, 10:52
Happened to come across the crash mention Saturday afternoon. Being complete winter there it was very easiy to find, infact if you take the very well marked, blue blazed Ravenrock Ridge side trail, just south of the Muskrat Creek shelter you cannot miss the remains. Doesn't look like much of any of the wreckage has been removed and all is easily viewable.

I wonder if there is a database of these types of crashes and how they happened?

Sly
01-26-2009, 11:40
If you don't mind rumaging through materials that once encapsulated people who were violently killed at that spot, I guess it would be.

:-?

Amazing. You're the one that asked about where a plane wreck was to begin with. :rolleyes:

max patch
01-26-2009, 11:53
Amazing. You're the one that asked about where a plane wreck was to begin with. :rolleyes:

Busted!!!

Johnny Swank
01-26-2009, 12:19
I think this is it. What was left of the wreckage was about 150-200 yards or so from the shelter IIRC.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2390816284_fd082cbdd8.jpg

Kanati
01-26-2009, 14:30
I think this is it. What was left of the wreckage was about 150-200 yards or so from the shelter IIRC.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2390816284_fd082cbdd8.jpg

Twoud be interesting to know if anyone was at the shelter when it crashed.

Funkmeister
01-26-2009, 15:49
The official reports of plane crashes are public record. They can be found here:

http://ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp

It takes a bit of online search engine spelunking to find crash sites near the AT.

Plane crash stories often have a bit of 'tall tale' emblishments. Don't believe everything you read. For example, there's a story of AMC 'croo'-members who pushed a Cessna 172 carcass off of a steep section of the White Mountains into (I think-it's been a while since I read this) the Huntington Ravine. Yet the NTSB report indicates the wreckage was removed entirely.

Other hard-to-believe stories are actually true: A small bizjet crashed into the forest east of Franconia Notch in NH and it took searchers more than four months to find it. There were survivors of the crash and they attempted self-rescue, including making snowshoes from wreckage. They were not succesful in their self-rescue attempt.

As a scuba diver since the late 70's, I have found (too) many divers who like to take home artifacts from wrecks, including human remains. A bit too creepy for me.

I combine my passion for aviation with the outdoors by looking for crash sites. I don't consider that morbid. I also like to begin and end my section hikes by a dropoff and recovery by private plane. It's fun to fly 100+ mph just a few hundred feet over what I will hike in the next few weeks, or review the trail I've covered in the previous weeks.

To each their own, I guess.

dmax
01-26-2009, 16:54
Does it cost alot to charter a small plane?

sliderule
01-26-2009, 23:51
I wonder if there is a database of these types of crashes and how they happened?

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviation/aviation.htm

Joey
01-31-2009, 19:27
Seriously, I don't know about that one. There is the remains of a helicopter up near Hell Ridge north of Mt. Guyot. Saw it 2 years ago. Looked like it was a pretty bad crash. If you search the forums here there are remains of several aircraft crashes along the AT.

Gray--was it the one right on the AT near Inadu Knob?? If so, that was an F-4 Phantom that crashed into the AT January 1984. Two pilots were killed.

Joey
01-31-2009, 19:33
I think this is it. What was left of the wreckage was about 150-200 yards or so from the shelter IIRC.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2390816284_fd082cbdd8.jpg

Remains of the F-4 Phantom that crashed into Indau Knob--January 1984 GSMNP

Joey
01-31-2009, 19:35
Mayday Mayday is a book that was written by Dwight McCarter who is a retired Ranger from the GSMNP--Its available online at the Great Smokies Association--Also everyone needs to read the book "LOST" by him as well!! Great books!!

Froggy
01-31-2009, 23:23
buckowens - the instrument panel looks like it might be a general aviation airplane, either a single engine one or a light twin.

dmax - there are pilots on the List who might be able to take you up for the cost of the gasoline over at least part of the Trail. Otherwise contact the local small airport for prices. Airports are listed in the yellow pages. You probably don't want a large commercial airport for this, since their prices will be too high. Smaller airports are better. Don't be surprised if the local airport facilities are somewhat crude and informal since that's not uncommon.

BlackCloud
02-04-2009, 00:17
Amazing. You're the one that asked about where a plane wreck was to begin with. :rolleyes:

There is an appreciable difference between happening to walk by while on a hike and wanting to stop in for a moment of reflection and making a hobby of hunting such places out so as to pilfer the wreckage for souvenirs (as you did).

If in fact someone died at such a site, that would make such a hobbyist little more then a grave robber.

So please, leave the high horse in the stable...

Sly
02-04-2009, 00:58
There is an appreciable difference between happening to walk by while on a hike and wanting to stop in for a moment of reflection and making a hobby of hunting such places out so as to pilfer the wreckage for souvenirs (as you did).

If in fact someone died at such a site, that would make such a hobbyist little more then a grave robber.

So please, leave the high horse in the stable...

You just don't walk by the plane wreckage, you need to take a side trail and seek it out, just like you asked about.

Yeah, I snapped a piece of wing off. Grave robber? OK buddy. :rolleyes:

TD55
02-04-2009, 01:31
There is an appreciable difference between happening to walk by while on a hike and wanting to stop in for a moment of reflection and making a hobby of hunting such places out so as to pilfer the wreckage for souvenirs (as you did).

If in fact someone died at such a site, that would make such a hobbyist little more then a grave robber.

So please, leave the high horse in the stable...

I ain't no expert on such matters, but. if'n there aren't no grave it can not be grave robbin. It be salvage.

BlackCloud
02-04-2009, 21:03
"If in fact someone died at such a site....."


Read what's written.

kytrailman
02-05-2009, 10:44
Hey-- if you see something interesting on the side of the trail- why would you go and investigate and look at it. After all-- you do not go into the outdoors to see things- just to walk --Right??? Sly- what is wrong with you man??? Really Black Cloud-- grave robbers??? Give me a break. Why would you ask about it, if you are going to be negative about the responses.

Sly
02-05-2009, 12:05
What's wrong with me? Nothing really, I'm only pointing out Black Clouds hypocrisy. He's the one that asked for directions to view the downed plane then called it morbid.

kytrailman
02-05-2009, 17:05
Sly- I was being sarcastic!!!

OldStormcrow
02-05-2009, 17:11
I only managed to stumble across the wreckage while looking for a convenient bush to squat behind one morning.....it's not all that far off the trail.

drastic_quench
02-05-2009, 17:21
Clearly, the main concern for us is calculating the likelihood of a plane crashing into you while hiking the AT. Is there a stronger concentration of permethrin that would ward off small-engine aircraft?

YoungMoose
02-05-2009, 18:17
sounds interesting. you would think theyd clean it up

LIhikers
02-07-2009, 16:08
Who is the "they" you'd expect to clean up a plane crash?

sliderule
02-07-2009, 16:57
sounds interesting. you would think theyd clean it up

LNT hasn't expanded into the aviation field quite yet. And given its limited success with backpackers, don't set you expecations very high!!!

Imager
05-03-2009, 14:41
Does anyone here know the story behind the plane crash on the Raven Rock trail near the Muskrat Creek Shelter? When did it happen? Circumstances? Fatalities?