We hike in Maine to find nature. We hike to find peace. And we hike to get a little bit closer to the state that we love. Throughout Vacationland, you’ll find routes that bring you to the salty oceans, some heading towards serene lakes and others under trees that tower overhead. We’re fortunate to spend time in a place that allows us to choose from so many natural experiences. But, there’s one hike that brings us nearer to a piece of Maine’s history. This hike to plane wreckage in Maine will remind you of all that came before.
Google Maps
The crash we’re talking about it that of a B-52C Stratosphere.
James M / TripAdvisor It was the result of two factors: first, it was flowing a a low altitude during weather-related turbulence. In addition, it faced losing its vertical stabilizer which was irreparable.
But, why was the plane flying over Maine in the first place?
JohnRWebb / TripAdvisor The crew aboard the plan was taking part in a planned training mission called “Terrain Avoidance Flight.” The purpose of these flights were to provide training for pilots get through Advanced Capability Radar, which would allow them to avoid detection by Soviets during the Cold War.
Flights like these were fairly routine on the West Coast, but this was the first time they’d be using terrain-following radar on the East Coast of the country.
The fateful flight began at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where two crews and two New Mexico-based instructors got on board.
JohnRWebb / TripAdvisor
After being given the choice to take the training mission over the Carolinas or Maine, they chose Maine based on the weather prediction further south.
MLFrazie / TripAdvisor
On Thursday, January 24, 1963 at 12:11pm, they took off. They were scheduled to return to Westover at 5:30 pm that same day.
JohnRWebb / TripAdvisor
But, things didn’t go as planned.
JohnRWebb / TripAdvisor
The plan began to the low altitude, enemy airspace simulation at 2:30 pm, but they seen met turbulence in the sky.
James M / TripAdvisor The pilot tried to fly above it, but the vertical stabilizer was lost in the attempt.
As the nose of the plane pointed down towards the ground and any hope of correcting it disappeared, the fate of the plane became clear. The pilot gave orders for all crew to abandon it.
The navigator, pilot and co-pilot all ejected themselves, but six crew members didn’t have time to escape before crashing on the west side of Elephant Mountain around 3pm.
Only two people survived the crash. The navigator and pilot got through the freezing night using only what they had with when they ejected themselves from the plane.
James M / TripAdvisor
Today, visitors can take a trip to see what’s left of the plane by hiking up a half-mile, flat and smooth path on the side of the mountain.
ladyme1 / TripAdvisor
To experience this piece of Maine history, head to Elephant Mountain, which is about six miles from Greenville.
e0103 / TripAdvisor
To find the trailhead, head north on Lily Bay Road for just under 7 miles, where you’ll make a right onto Prong Pond Road.
From here head less than two mile and stay right when the road veers. In about 4 miles, stay right at the fork in the road. About 5.5 miles on, you’ll come to a small parking lot on the left. The trail begins here.
MLFrazie / TripAdvisor
MLFrazie / TripAdvisor
The wreckage is strewn around the area, so plan to spend some time walking around to see everything.
James M / TripAdvisor
e0103 / TripAdvisor
If you visit on a holiday such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day, you’re likely to see the homage paid by previous visitors.
JohnRWebb / TripAdvisor
Believe it of not, Maine actually has more than one piece of plane-related history. This plane crash in 1944 happened in southern Maine and it’s one of the worst aviation disasters to take place in the state.
Google Maps
James M / TripAdvisor
It was the result of two factors: first, it was flowing a a low altitude during weather-related turbulence. In addition, it faced losing its vertical stabilizer which was irreparable.
JohnRWebb / TripAdvisor
The crew aboard the plan was taking part in a planned training mission called “Terrain Avoidance Flight.” The purpose of these flights were to provide training for pilots get through Advanced Capability Radar, which would allow them to avoid detection by Soviets during the Cold War.
Flights like these were fairly routine on the West Coast, but this was the first time they’d be using terrain-following radar on the East Coast of the country.
MLFrazie / TripAdvisor
The pilot tried to fly above it, but the vertical stabilizer was lost in the attempt.
As the nose of the plane pointed down towards the ground and any hope of correcting it disappeared, the fate of the plane became clear. The pilot gave orders for all crew to abandon it.
The navigator, pilot and co-pilot all ejected themselves, but six crew members didn’t have time to escape before crashing on the west side of Elephant Mountain around 3pm.
ladyme1 / TripAdvisor
e0103 / TripAdvisor
James M / TripAdvisor
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
