Vehicle Photography - Belly landing [ENG/ITA]

Abandoned the car in a pitch along the ring road, the gaze is lost staring at the horizon. Down there, somewhere hidden between the dunes of a lava desert, lies the wreck of the DC-3 Dakota.

The ocean seems close, but the sun and the wind of the Icelandic land deceive the eye, and the miles to go fighting against the strong wind that blows in the opposite direction are at least three. Backpack on shoulder, let’s go!

According to the United States Navy, the US Navy's DC-3 Dakota crashed on Sólheimasandur beach in southern Iceland on November 24, 1973. The dynamics of the accident are not clear, but it seems a pilot error that brought the aircraft to remain without fuel, forcing it to a emergency landing along the coast. Local sources report slightly different dates.

Fortunately, crew and passengers did not suffer damage, but the seriously damaged aircraft was abandoned and subsequently looted by collectors of memorabilia. Today only the central section of the plane remains.

The DC-3 Dakota represents an iconic and absolutely successful aircraft in the history of American aviation. Its first flight was recorded in 1935 and, after extensive use during the war as a transport plane, he continued to serve in several national aviation purposes till today, marking several longevity records.