Northern Lights above the Solheimasandur plane wreck on the black sand plain of Iceland’s South Coast.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck is an abandoned aircraft fuselage located on a black sand plain along Iceland's South Coast. The exposed metal structure rests within a wide, featureless volcanic landscape shaped by glacial outwash. Its isolated form creates a stark composition defined by contrast between industrial debris and open terrain. The site is not a memorial, as all crew survived the 1973 crash, and the remaining fuselage has since become an informal landmark and widely photographed attraction.
63.49120, -19.36390
Gallery
Quick Facts
Access
Moderate Hike
90–180 min
Elevation Gain
20 m
Best Light
Light works best when low-angle sun defines the fuselage contours because angled illumination increases surface relief and separates the aircraft from the flat horizon.
Why This Light
Season
Year-Round Stable
In summer, exposed black sand enhances contrast between the fuselage and surrounding plain. In winter, snow partially covers the landscape while the aircraft structure remains clearly defined.
Crowds
Often Busy
Restrictions
Weather and surface conditions may affect access across the exposed sand plain.