Sólheimasandur plane crash site in southern Iceland.
On November 4th, 1973 this United States Navy C-117 (military version of a DC-3) ran out of fuel during a storm and crash landed on the black sand beach at Sólheimasandur. Apparently the crew either did not realize they had a full second fuel tank or they were unable to switch over to the full tank. No one was injured in the crash, but while attempting to recover the wreckage, a helicopter crashed and several people were killed. After the failed recovery attempt, the US Navy decided to abandon the plane and left it for the local farm to deal with as he pleased. The farmer quickly realized the second fuel tank was full and he used this fuel to power his farm tractors. He also later sold the tail section of the plane to a man who made a hotel out of a DC-3.
