Damselfly
Active member
My husband and I went to Greenville, ME and the nearby Little Lyford Pond Camps, in part, to allow us time to explore the crash sites and debris field from the 1963 B-52 plane crash.
There are many good articles available, including one that includes an interview with one of the survivors, Lt. Col Dan Bulli. Reading up on the history and the background ahead of time helped to set the stage prior to our visit.
Background: In response to improvements in Soviet radar use during the Cold War, the B52 crew was tasked with attempting to use the plane to fly at a very low (undetectable) altitude. Regretfully, the vertical tail stabilizer was not able to handle the turbulence caused by this low altitude flying. The tail exploded off the airplane landing on the east side of Elephant Mountain, and ten seconds later, the plane crashed and exploded into the west side of the mountain. Seven men lost their lives and two men, who were able to eject, miraculously survived.
To reach the fuselage, memorial tablet and main debris field (northwest side of Elephant Mtn.):
-0.0 mi. - From Greenville, ME, drive 7 miles north
-7.0 mi. - Turn R onto Prong Pond Rd.; the road is dirt, but well graded and easily traveled
-Along this road, you will catch glimpses of the profile that gave Elephant Mtn. its name
-A local snowmobile club has placed yellow signs at all junctions to mark the way (L at 10.7 mi. at "Y" junction; L at 12.5 mi., at major ATV intersection)
-14.2 mi. - After about 7 miles of driving, arrive at a parking area that holds about ten cars
The snowmobile club has spent considerable effort to protect the site, make it easily accessible, and honor those who lost their lives. Walking through a gate, a hardened gravel path takes you a very short walk up to the debris field. It is awe inspiring to see such a large area of wreckage… and think about the fate of the men who lost their lives.
The following day, we set out from Little Lyford Pond Camps to visit the "tail section" of the B-52, which fell on the southeast side of the mountain.
To reach the tail section:
-0.0 mi. - From the driveway of Little Lyford Pond Camps
-Continue driving northwest as if you are trying to drive to Horseshoe Pond
-1.2 mi. - turn left (right is gated)
-The gravel road climbs
-1.8 mi. - turn right at fork
-2.7 mi. – park at a fork, near the campsites for Pearl Pond; the main road continues left to Horseshoe Pond; you need to begin walking on the “gated” road to the right, which heads up towards Baker Pond
-2.9 mi. - after walking a short distance, turn left onto an overgrown and grassy logging road; it is marked with a small cairn
-Walk for about a half-mile further, following a distinctive herd path.
-After about a half mile, you will come to a small opening (20’x20’-ish), and will see another small rock cairn on your left and distinctive herd path that will take you a few hundred yards uphill to the tail section
Photo Link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskgv6MPN
Thank you to Roger S. and tomcat32 for helping me with some intel and planning.
Beth Z.
There are many good articles available, including one that includes an interview with one of the survivors, Lt. Col Dan Bulli. Reading up on the history and the background ahead of time helped to set the stage prior to our visit.
Background: In response to improvements in Soviet radar use during the Cold War, the B52 crew was tasked with attempting to use the plane to fly at a very low (undetectable) altitude. Regretfully, the vertical tail stabilizer was not able to handle the turbulence caused by this low altitude flying. The tail exploded off the airplane landing on the east side of Elephant Mountain, and ten seconds later, the plane crashed and exploded into the west side of the mountain. Seven men lost their lives and two men, who were able to eject, miraculously survived.
To reach the fuselage, memorial tablet and main debris field (northwest side of Elephant Mtn.):
-0.0 mi. - From Greenville, ME, drive 7 miles north
-7.0 mi. - Turn R onto Prong Pond Rd.; the road is dirt, but well graded and easily traveled
-Along this road, you will catch glimpses of the profile that gave Elephant Mtn. its name
-A local snowmobile club has placed yellow signs at all junctions to mark the way (L at 10.7 mi. at "Y" junction; L at 12.5 mi., at major ATV intersection)
-14.2 mi. - After about 7 miles of driving, arrive at a parking area that holds about ten cars
The snowmobile club has spent considerable effort to protect the site, make it easily accessible, and honor those who lost their lives. Walking through a gate, a hardened gravel path takes you a very short walk up to the debris field. It is awe inspiring to see such a large area of wreckage… and think about the fate of the men who lost their lives.
The following day, we set out from Little Lyford Pond Camps to visit the "tail section" of the B-52, which fell on the southeast side of the mountain.
To reach the tail section:
-0.0 mi. - From the driveway of Little Lyford Pond Camps
-Continue driving northwest as if you are trying to drive to Horseshoe Pond
-1.2 mi. - turn left (right is gated)
-The gravel road climbs
-1.8 mi. - turn right at fork
-2.7 mi. – park at a fork, near the campsites for Pearl Pond; the main road continues left to Horseshoe Pond; you need to begin walking on the “gated” road to the right, which heads up towards Baker Pond
-2.9 mi. - after walking a short distance, turn left onto an overgrown and grassy logging road; it is marked with a small cairn
-Walk for about a half-mile further, following a distinctive herd path.
-After about a half mile, you will come to a small opening (20’x20’-ish), and will see another small rock cairn on your left and distinctive herd path that will take you a few hundred yards uphill to the tail section
Photo Link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskgv6MPN
Thank you to Roger S. and tomcat32 for helping me with some intel and planning.
Beth Z.
