Iceland DC-3 Aircraft Wreck in Eyvindarholt
The DC-3 wreck — in short
The DC-3 plane wreck at Eyvindarholt is a less obvious alternative to the famous wreck on Sólheimasandur beach. The place requires checking the access and the conditions, but it can be an interesting stop for people looking for unusual traces of history on a route around Iceland.
Iceland Aircraft Wreck DC-3 C47J (R4D-6) in Eyvindarholt,
Extraordinary History and Competition for DC3
Iceland DC3 (Douglas Commercial 3) Douglas Dakota “DACoTA” (Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft)
Iceland aircraft wreck in Eyvindarholt
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Iceland DC-3 Aircraft Wreck
Table of Contents
Aircraft wreck Iceland – Tourist attractions in Iceland
Why it’s worth seeing the DC-3 C-47J (R4D-6) Aircraft Wreck?
Iceland DC-3 C-47J (R4D-6) Aircraft Wreck in Eyvindarholt
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ROUTE PLANNING
Iceland travel guide — place the DC-3 wreck inside the South Coast plan
Use the main Iceland guide to connect the DC-3 wreck with Reynisfjara, Skógafoss, Vík, driving time, weather and safe South Coast planning.
The DC-3 aircraft wreck in Eyvindarholt is one of the best-known stops on Iceland’s South Coast. If you are planning a route through this part of the country, you can include it in an Iceland in 4 days itinerary or a 7-day day-by-day Iceland plan; in the colder season it may also be useful to follow the Northern Lights radar.
The aircraft wreck is located on our route Ring Road along the southern coast in the vicinity of waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi as well as Nauthusagil Gorge towards Þórsmörk
SOUTH COAST
Nauthusagil Gorge and Nauthúsafoss Waterfall – Iceland’s Hidden Gems
Iceland – Nauthusagil Canyon and Nauthusafoss Waterfall. A travel guide to Iceland. Tourist attractions in Iceland. What to see in Iceland.
History of DC-3 C-47J (R4D-6): Emergency Landing and the Wreck’s Second Life
In July 1969, the aircraft took off from the base in Keflavík on a routine transport flight. After flying over the fjords of the northeastern coast, the pilot “landed the plane on the runway and everything seemed to be in order. However, during the braking process, the plane unexpectedly turned right. Despite braking attempts, the plane veered off the runway and collided with a pile of driftwood*, resulting in a burst tire and the wing touching the ground.” For over 50 years, the wreck decayed on private land until it was decided to move it to Eyvindarholt in 2023. Today, it forms an extraordinary element of the landscape – something between a technical monument and an artistic installation.
*Driftwood is wood found on the shores of seas and oceans, which has been submerged in water for a long time and then washed ashore. Its characteristic, naturally shaped forms are the result of the action of water, sand, and other factors over many years, giving it a unique appearance.
Iceland aircraft wreck, aircraft wreck Iceland
Use of DC-3 Aircraft in Iceland
Military and civilian DC-3s played a key logistical role in Iceland:
Supply transport – delivering food, medicine, and construction materials to remote settlements.
Medical evacuation – rapid transport of patients from isolated regions to hospitals in Reykjavík.
Radar support – transporting radar modules and technical personnel to research stations on the Langanes peninsula.
Search and rescue missions (SAR) – searching for castaways in the vast and often inaccessible terrain of southern and eastern Iceland.
DC-3, C-47, R4D-6 – what kind of machine is it?
- Douglas DC-3 (Douglas Commercial 3)– an aviation icon that revolutionized air travel and civil aviation in the 1930s.
- C-47 Skytrain – military version of the DC-3, used, among others, during World War II for transporting soldiers and supplies.
- R4D-6 – an improved version of the C-47 model adapted for the needs of the US Navy: reinforced radio stations, navigation instruments, and SAR support capabilities. In Iceland, aircraft of this type served from the 1940s until the beginning of the 21st century, handling, among others, the transport of radars, food, medical equipment, and personnel to remote research stations.
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Other DC-3 Aircraft Wrecks in Iceland
Iceland has several similar sites, but each has its own history:
- DC3 C-117D Sólheimasandur (1973) – the famous wreck on the black sand beach that became a tourist hit.
DC3 (Douglas Commercial 3) Douglas Dakota “DACoTA” (Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft) - Civilian DC-3 “Glitfaxi” (1951) – a DC-3 of Flugfélag Íslands airline that crashed in Faxaflói Bay, tragically ending the flight with twenty victims.
- TF-ISI (1947) – one of the largest post-war disasters in Iceland, when a passenger plane crashed at the foot of Mount Hestfjall.
Competition for DC3 C-117D Douglas Dakota Sólheimasandur
Two aircraft wrecks on one beach?
According to ICELANDNEWS.IS “The decision of the Þristavinafélag board to sell the Gunnfaxi plane to the landowners in Sólheimasandur caused concern among the association’s members. The farmer from Ytri-Sólheimar, who bought the plane, told them they could get it back provided they refund the purchase price and transport costs.”
Welcome to the full article by ICELANDNEWS.IS – Two aircraft wrecks on one beach?
Eyvindarholt – peace instead of crowds
In contrast to the tourist-besieged Sólheimasandur, Eyvindarholt offers an intimate atmosphere. The wreck stands on a private meadow, surrounded by hills and wind whistling through the torn aluminum sheets. It’s the perfect place for those who want to feel the atmosphere of an abandoned machine without jostling with other visitors.
How to get to the DC-3 C-47J (R4D-6) Aircraft Wreck in Eyvindarholt?
Route: Driving on Road 1 (Ring Road) towards Vik, turn onto road F-249 near Seljalandsfoss and drive towards Þórsmörk
Attractions along the way: It’s worth stopping at waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi and a bit further Nauthusagil Gorge
Note: F-249 is a gravel road – better to drive slowly, especially in bad weather.
Parking: the parking lot is nicely prepared, but unfortunately it is now paid, e.g., via the PARKA app
Page dedicated to DC-3 Airplane wreck Eyvindarholt – Eyvindarholt.is
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FAQ: DC-3 wreck in Eyvindarholt – frequently asked questions
How much time do I need to see the DC-3 wreck in Eyvindarholt?
Usually 20–45 minutes for photos and a walk around the wreck. If you combine it with Seljalandsfoss/Gljúfrabúi, plan extra time for the waterfalls.
Is parking in Eyvindarholt paid?
Yes, the parking is often paid and usually handled via the Parka app. Rules and prices may change, so check the signs on site.
Is this the same wreck as the famous DC-3 on Sólheimasandur?
No. Eyvindarholt is a different DC-3 (easier to see). Sólheimasandur is a separate location on a black plain, usually with a longer walk (sometimes a shuttle runs).
Can you go inside the wreck?
Usually yes, but be careful – sharp metal edges and slippery parts are a real hazard. Do not go in if conditions are bad or if it is prohibited.
How do I fit Eyvindarholt into a Ring Road route?
The easiest way is to combine it with the South Coast section: Seljalandsfoss → Gljúfrabúi → Eyvindarholt → (optionally) Nauthúsagil → onwards towards Vík.
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