Plane crash on Seward?

[ADKben]

Somehow I think we got off the herd path going up Seward this weekend and we stumbled on a plane that was wrecked at about 3800 feet or so. Everything was still there and didn't even look rusted. Engine,propeller,wheels, full body and even someones moccasin/slipper! I thought it was strange and wanted to know if anyone knows when this plane crashed, etc? Thanks

[Rivet]

Somehow I think we got off the herd path going up Seward this weekend and we stumbled on a plane that was wrecked at about 3800 feet or so. Everything was still there and didn't even look rusted. Engine,propeller,wheels, full body and even someones moccasin/slipper! I thought it was strange and wanted to know if anyone knows when this plane crashed, etc? Thanks

You can do a search here...

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp#query_start

It helps if you get the five digit registration number off the body (it is painted in big letters).

[ADKben]

I know nothing about planes. I would say its a Cessna..thats all I know. I thought someone would have known about it other than myself..apparently not??

[Mavs00]

Interesting???

I'll ask on VFTT, some of the old timers, who have alot of info about this kind of stuff, don't post on here (who knows why). I'm curious about it too. Seems to me, I've heard there was a wreck up there somewhere, just never knew any details about it.

[mike1889]

There was an article about plane crashes in the High Peaks in Adirondack Life a few years ago but I don't recall the details of the Seward crash. Registered member tgoodwin would know for sure, as some other registered members probably. Unfrotunately not everyone looks at the forums every day and by the time they see it, it has been answered by somebody else.

[ADKben]

I was just very puzzled that all the wreckage is still there. I would have thought it would have been cleaned out. Im not dying to know any more information about it, I just thought it was strange to see. There were no bodies around the area so its no big deal to me; I just thought everyone knew about this. To me, it seems like a big deal; I don't believe that this happens too often?

I have pictures of it, as soon as I get a chance to upload them I will do so on summitpost.

[ADKben]

UPDATE: my buddy Bill, who was with me on the Seward hike just posted pictures on Summitpost.

http://www.summitpost.com/mountains/photo_link.pl/p/photo_id__86999__object_id__595__type__mountain__mountain_id__595__route_id____user_id____order_by____limit__

**Notice the eerie black slipper that is on top of the wreckage, in the middle of the photo. I would HIGHLY doubt that there was a survivor from this crash, the plane was mangled.

[mike1889]

There are several plane wrecks scattered around the high peaks. There is one on the side of Marshall near the Marshall-Iroquois col and of the course the big B-47 that crashed on Wright on 1/17/62, with many of the large pieces of wreckage still visible. There is no reason to recover or remove the wreckage as it would be too expensive. I don't believe there are any plane wrecks that no one is aware of.

[redhawk]

Huh?

I don't believe there are any plane wrecks that no one is aware of.

Say What?

So, if there were any wrecks that no one was aware of, would they tell us?

[lumberzac]

I've been doing a little thinking about this crash site. From looking at the photo, my guess it that the plane has been their for a while. The reason you didn't find any rust is because most airplanes are made of aluminum, which doesn't rust.

[ADackR]

there are a couple of plane wrecks on theSeward range.. i'm not exactly sure where but i think they are results of bad weather on the final desent(sp??) to the Saranac Airport...

somewhere there are coordinates for all the sites of the crashes..

[Kevin]

I've been doing a little thinking about this crash site. From looking at the photo, my guess it that the plane has been their for a while. The reason you didn't find any rust is because most airplanes are made of aluminum, which doesn't rust.

I agree, the first photo in the series shows a window (mostly broken out) that has a pretty hefty layer of film/dirt on it.

[Mavs00]

More specifics

Actually,

I'm pretty intriqued about this myself (much like the Beaver Trap Mystery a few months back). I WILL get the answers. In fact, I have found out some details so far, but in order to zero in, could you be a little more specific about "where is was" in general. I'm told, there are several crash sites in the Sewards (mike is right).

1) Generally, where were you (N,E,S,W side of Seward, ,etc) when you found it?

2) Which herd path are you refering to, Calkins brook, or Ward brook?

If you could just give a little more specific, it might help. Thanks.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

[strat]

And the chemist says....

Aluminum oxidizes (rusts), you just don't know it because the oxide is not a dramatically different color from what aluminum is to begin with. Also, it doesn't flake off as much as iron oxides do.

No charge for that bit of chemistry consulting.

[Rivet]

If crash happened within last 40 years, then you can search online at before-mentioned database. Here is one on Santanoni...

NTSB Identification: NYC84FA247 .
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 26700.
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Monday, July 16, 1984 in NEWCOMB, NY
Aircraft: PIPER PA-34-220T, registration: N8345A
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
THE FLIGHT WAS OPERATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH F.A.R. PART 135.THE PLT FILED A VFR FLT PLAN AND WAS CRUISING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 5,500 FT WHEN CLOUDS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO DESCEND TO 3,500 BUT COLLIDED WITH THE SANTANONIMOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 3500 FT. THE MOUNTAIN IS 4607 FT HIGH.


The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
VFR PROCEDURES..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
CLEARANCE..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
DESCENT..PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND
ALTITUDE..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND



Contributing Factors

VISUAL LOOKOUT..NOT POSSIBLE..PILOT IN COMMAND