Mount Success Plane Wreck

[Nate]

While up on Mount Success last weekend, I was talking to some hikers, who mentioned how high up on the mountain there is a crashed DC-10. Since they said it was difficult for most people to find, does anyone know where this is? Does getting there involve much of a bushwhack?

 

[arghman]

I was told it's a DC3 that crashed in 1954.

PM coming right up.

 

[MichaelJ]

It was a DC-3 in December, 1954. Information on it can be found here.

 

[erugs]

The Northeast Airlines DC-3 actually crashed on the side of Mt. Success, just below the summit, on November 30, 1954 and survivers were rescued two days later, I think. The flight, a puddle jumper from Boston was heading to Berlin. On board were the pilot, co-pilot, a dispatcher, a stewardess, and several passengers. All survived the initial crash, but two, the co-pilot and dispatcher, died before rescuers arrived. There is an interesting account of this accident in "Adventures of a Yellowbird" which is out of print. There is a bushwack to the site off the trail south of the summit.

 

[peakbagger]

The ingalls valley route is long gone unless it has been reworked of late. There has been major logging in the area and the plane is located in dense spruce. Unless you are guided by a GPS, you could walk right by the wreck due to the dense woods. Luckilly, there is a much easier route. The southerly corridor boundary of the AT runs right over one of the wings. The shortest day hike approach is via the Success Trail off of Success Pond road then south on the AT (note recent reports indicate that the Success Trailhead sign is missing on the road so check your mileage at the start of the road). Start by climbing to the top of Success. From the summit rock on Success you are on one of two large open rocky clearings. Head south on the AT through the first open area on the AT over a boggy area and enter a strip of softwoods (you are actually going west). Within a short distance, you will hit the second patch of open area with good views towards the presidentials. Follow the AT over the open area until it goes in the woods again. At the boundary between the woods and the summit clearing follow the fairly distinct boundary of the woods and clearing to your left (south). You may see faint traces of old paths coming down over the ledges. Look carefully for old ribbons or cut trees in the woods to your right after about 150 feet. The trees are quite dense and grow rapidly in this area so dont expect much of a path unless someone has recut it recently. Once you go in the woods head compass south down over a steep section and you will encouter a roughly blazed 8 to 10 foot wide AT corridor blazed with yellow paint. If you go more than 15 minutes in the woods, you may want to check your compass!. Once you hit the corridor, follow it west until nearly level for a few minutes (dependent upon the amount of growth) and look for the grade to start dropping. Very soon you will see the wings. Once you are there, the rear section of the cabin is intact, the wings and most of the tail are spread out in dense spruce. At least part of the old engines are there.

At some point in the trip make sure you check out the spur trail to the Outlook.