waterrock knob plane crash
There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. This is a beautiful hike but the trail down to the plane crash is a bit strenuous! That crash occurred just 11 years after this one, and was one of the most tragic plane crashes in North Carolina. After responding to our questions, and reviewing his GPS stats, he confirmed the trek down to the plane wreckage took him about 30 minutes. The trail starts at the last path on the left before the summit. Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. It was quite a trek! It clearly says its on the right if you are returning down the trail after the lookout. The main reason we stopped was to walk to the plane crash site, about 2.5 miles off the main trail. The Ranger was giving directions to two guys in shorts and tee-shirts. This trail is paved but very steep! Looking at the satellite view it appears the hike to the plane crash is about a 3-mile round-trip hike, first up to Waterrock Knob and then across the ridge to Browning Knob. In fact, he didnt file a flight plan as required in that situation. Two of the boys, probably her son and his friend, started howlinglike wild prey from further up the trail . Hike the relatively easy Waterrock Knob Trail for 0.9 miles: mostly uphill and paved, with impressive views. It was a CESSNA 414A airplane, which is an American light-pressured twin engine. Retumbo 8lbsIn addition, it is an Extreme Powder, making it perfect for big game hunting under all types of. I heard it might even be getting removed soon because of it. His sweat covered hair was tied back in a ponytail. Note: When hiking to this area please be respectful of the site. Hiked 10/30 2nd time doing this trail and 2nd time doing the entire thing in the clouds!! While this hike isnt long, it is difficult. Neither the pilot nor passenger survived. Members of the Civil Air Patrol found the wreckage near the summit of Waterrock Knob Peak a week later. Its a very good idea to tell multiple people where you are heading, and its probably not a trail you should tackle alone. Keep these hiking tips in mind: It is important to remember that the two men on the airplane died in the crash. She looked more like her dad than her Caucasian mother. Thats not very clearly markedThanks for trying to help with your big write up that didnt help much thanks. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. Did you know that there are several airplane crashes that have happened in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park? Theres no sign as its unmaintained, but when I did it there was an arrow spray painted on a rock. The Perfect 4 Day Miami Itinerary for Travelers. He looked tired but exuded deep satisfaction. A mountain dog in his element! At that moment, a backpacker made his way towards us; as if he were coming from the other direction on Browning Knob Trail. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. I noticed it as a gap in the tall grass at first. It was heading to Sylva, just 11 miles from the crash site, but unfortunately they did not make it. If you choose to click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small fee at no additional cost to you. Graffiti covered the white paint. It was time to head back. Click here are a few of my favorite places near Bryson City. Thank you! After hiking up to Waterrock Knob, I overheard a Ranger standing in front of a narrow path to the left. At one point, I said something funny. Here, you will see the third trail on your left. The remains of the plane are still scattered along the hillside making it a super neat place to explore and . Beware. Quiet reflection will force you to be in the moment with your thoughts. Nature brings out the best in people. The path was straight down the side of the mountain; winding around moss covered trees and through what seemed like mile high pines overhead. Once you are off the main paved trail, it turns into more of an intermediate hike. What a good movie. After crossing snowbird VOR the aircraft turned south and again there were altitude excursions. In addition to that, hed been drinking a little the FAA reported a blood-alcohol level of .04 percent. We were unfortunately unable to see much from the lookout due to the low lying clouds, but continued on towards our next destination, which was Browning Knob. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. I was super interested. Marcus and I were wandering around the fuselage like detectives at a crime scene. Moderate 4.6 (1494) Blue Ridge Parkway. Just before you reach the last stretch of trail to the top, you should see a fairly obvious trail leading off to the left, marked with flagging tape. as well as check out the abandoned plane crash of a Cessna 414A that happened back in 1983. A black smoke monster chased him away before he had the chance to look. There's a large free parking area, visitor center for more information on the area, and some beautiful views here so it's worth checking out. Everything but the engines still remains at the crash site. Waterrock Knob: Waterrock Knob is one of my favorite hikes and it's always one that I recommend to visitors. Well now I want to go back and rewatch that. He was just a little low.. I crave the forest, the smells, the beauty and especially the healthy feeling of being outdoors. I wrote about it here in 2015. It would be nice to get that garbage off of the ground. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. Maggie Valley, about 5 hours from Fayetteville. People have absolutely no respect. We were so determined to complete a hike that wed carry him piggyback in shifts when he got tired. The entire trek to the plane and back is a little more than two miles round trip. We passed by the hiker, shoulder-to-shoulder, thanking him for his time, and we followed the path through the brush. We were there last fall and someone had spray painted the plane. Being less than 10 miles from Maggie Valley, it is the closest hike and Visitors Center. Another blond haired woman with a baseball cap and a group of grade school aged kids were heading towards us. When you start returning back down the trail from the summit, youll see the small plane crash trail on your right. Its a good idea to have someone with you. They were drawn to our yellow lab, Odin. Thankfully, though, there are only a few places where you'll stumble upon airplane crash ruins in North Carolina. The aircraft had impacted mountainous terrain at about 6,000 feet msl and 11 miles from the destination. Discover our featured content. Both occupants lost their lives in the crash, so it is important to be respectful of the crash site when visiting. Fewer hikers decide to venture this far out. It was an unspoken closeness she was expressing; after she and I had shared a few things we had in common with our lives. The pilot was also determined to have been impaired, with a blood alcohol content of 0.04%. The plane could have made it over the mountain if it had just been about 150 feet higher. If the above hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina whets your appetite for adventure, read on! My first thought after the second picture, Theresa falls up the stairs, Theresa falls down the stairs, The occupants died in the crash so that probably adds to that feeling as well, Info on the incident. Photos (3,774) Directions. If you look around youll see bits of wreckage spread around the area as well. After a few hours of homework, I glanced out the window. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. In my opinion the trail is intermediate because its unmaintained so you are hiking over a lot of tree roots and it requires more awareness to keep on track. The last recorded elevation of the airplane was about 6,000 ft. Much of the Cessna 414 is still up there on the mountain. True! Watch premium and official videos free online. Mitchell State Park will take you along a rocky, windy path to the top of the mountain, and a hike to Paradise Falls will reward you with stunning, watery views of the hidden waterfall. The rest of the debris is slowly being reclaimed by the forest or has been carried off by visitors over the years. Waterrock Knob is located at milepost 451.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and features the last hiking trail along the parkway before reaching the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The plane slammed into the mountain, killing Martin and his passenger immediately. Drew had said it was a short hike from Waterrock to Browning Knob, and that the plane crash was just off to the left. I was confused. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Hiking down the mountainside to the crash was surreal. It rises a total of 2,000 feet in just about three . When I can make the trip Ill definitely consider doing this hike, it seems like an interesting one I had no idea how dangerous the Smoky Mountains were for planes. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile marker 451.2 into the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center located inSylva, NC to begin the hike to the crash site. Other than graffiti and parts that have probably been moved around from spectators over the years, the wreckage remains nestled on the Southern Appalachian mountain range between Asheville and Cherokee, North Carolina. To learn more, clickhere. That was my co-worker who cleaned it up! Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information. Certainly, it is a stark reminder of how powerless we really are in the face of nature. I think about how this section of the mountain range probably wasnt a trail at the time. The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by: After departure at 1417 cst, radar track showed the aircraft climbing to and maintaining 7,600 feet until about 1733 est and 28-30 miles north of the Knoxville VOR. Only a short detour off the beaten path of one of North Carolina's most notable sunset hikes, lies a Cessna 414 plane crash site full of eerie history. Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob Andrew Plyler (Atlas Obscura User) This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Recommendations: We highly recommend a hike to Waterrock Knob to visitors in the Maggie Valley/Waynesville area. To start the trail, you simply follow the hike to Waterrock Knob. See All . The outdoor adventures found along the parkway include a multitude of trails, visitor centers, and stunning overlooks. Its definitely sad but interesting to see! I was confused. The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging. Let us know in the comments. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Overall, this is one of the interesting and rewarding hikes that I have been on in North Carolina.My thoughts are with the families of the two lives that were lost in the crash. Remembering the 72 passengers who lost their lives in 1967 airplane wreck. He listened intently. This one is a fairly easy trail in terms of skill. She brushed her hand across the soft whitish golden fur on Odins head without hesitation. Then I looked at my pictures from a year out so ago and realized that indeed it has been cleaned. Jerry Mattox, [footer_backtotop href="#top" text="Return to Top"] 2023 Marcus and Jill's Happy Trails. Waterrock Knob has the highest elevation on the Parkway. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.04. I asked the family if theyd been to the plane crash. Its a paved path and well signed so all you need to do is look out for it. Both people on board died. Its perfect for a one-and-done day out in the wilderness. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Your email address will not be published. Copyright Lil Blue Boo 2023 | Privacy Policy, The Great Smoky Mountains and Western NC Hiking. She was a quick talker. We did this short hike a few weeks ago..You really should take the side trip to Browning Knob and see the old plane crash..Only an extra mile or so. Located just 18 miles from the southern end of the Parkway and farther away from larger cities, it has a more remote and quiet feel to it. Are you talking about the plane crash site? I asked. This hike is definitely worth it! 2023 Atlas Obscura. You will be walking through the quiet woods then all of a sudden the crash appears through the trees. I saw families with kids doing the trail while I was there and people with dogs I took my dog too. I was the first person to arrive at this Crash Site in 1983. Read more . The remains of the iconic train crash from the movie The Fugitive can still be found rusting along the Great Smoky Railroad. The hike requires you to hike along the ridge of the mountain, maneuvering between trees, ground roots and boulders along the way. It is equal parts morbid and fascinating. The mountain is a popular destination with tourists and amateur hikers, as it is easily accessible from the parkway. Just before reaching the top of the Knob, there is a trail to your left. The human remains, of course, were returned to the family, and the engines and anything else of value were salvaged. If they had only been flying a little bit higher, they probably would have reached their destination. Pedestrian killed by car on Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Its going to work your legs. There is a shared bond in braving the elements and climbing to higher altitudes. Once at Browning Knob (big obvious clearing on the top of a mountain), there's another trail off to the left, which leads down to the crashed Cessna 414. Wires clustered through exposed metal. I found the spray paint trail markings most helpful since some of the ties had been blown away in storms, When you come to this clearing, take the path left (this spray painted rock points the way) and you are very close to the crash. However, on that fateful day, he was apparently unaware or unconcerned by the weather awaiting him. A couple of homemade signs nailed to trees a short ways down the path offer tips and warnings for proceeding ahead. The final radar contact with the plane was at 6,100 feet, approximately only one mile from the crash site. One of Marcus catch phrases is theres always time for a hike! So being Labor Day weekend, we could not put off this adventure. 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Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. Since it is unmaintained, it might be worth asking at the visitor center for any current updates or safety tips for the time you are visiting. It is a shame so many people can hike here but no one cares to restore the grounds and remove what isn't natural. Read more about my story here. He was right on course, the Civil Air Patrol Major explained to a Chicago newspaper in the winter of 1983. The hike continues for about .7 milesalong the ridge of the mountainbut with a lot of elevation change (the equivalent of about 68 flights of stairs!) Waterrock Knob: Hike to plane crash site - See 321 traveler reviews, 262 candid photos, and great deals for Maggie Valley, NC, at Tripadvisor. Your pictures were fabulous! Packing the right day hike essentials is super important for your trip. Before hitting the trail-head, we ran into a family coming back from the hike. Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes near Asheville (Craggy Gardens to Waterrock Knob) . Just before the summit, you will see the path to the plane crash on the left. If you follow that trail for a little bit you will see a tree with the following signs on it: Yes, there are warningsmake sure you tell someone where you are hiking just in case! Plane crash PARKING LOT Waterrock Knob Visitor Center Waterrock Knob Browning Knob 5719 ft 6292 ft 6240 ft Elevations: Waterrock knob parking lot to peak waterrock peak to Browning Knob Browning knob to plane crash .5 miles .7 miles .05 miles distances: Learn how your comment data is processed. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. There is a visitor center at mile marker 451 so you can park and use the restroom before your hike. Theres more details below so please read the full guide to see if its a good option for you. While we were gathered at the crash site more people started to come. The possibility the pilots decision making ability on a cloudy night could have also been impaired by alcohol and other factors we just dont know. The crash lays there as it landed with frayed cords and broken windows serving as a reminder of the final journey. Copyright 2017 CleanBlog | Theme by AirThemes. Read more in my about section. Thank you for reading! The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. On November 24, 1983, two pilots began their flight from DuPage Airport in West Chicago headed to Jackson County Airport, North Carolina. How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob. If youve never been to Bryson City you need to visit! To get here first drive to the visitor center at Waterrock Knob, (one of our favorite places to bring visitors too. After making eye-contact with her, I recognized it was Allison from work. Address: Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA Much of the eight-seat Cessna 414A is still up there on the mountain. The beginning portion of the trail, although still steep, is paved in between stair sections. https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/2020-03/N6623C.pdf, http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=6623C, http://videotarts.com/video/6GrSrJC0NAk/abandoned-airplane-in-the-middle-of-the-woods.html, https://www.lilblueboo.com/2018/08/hiking-to-a-plane-crash-in-the-smoky-mountains-via-waterrock-and-browning-knobs.html, Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency], Updated [Time, Operator, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative], Updated [Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]. PLANE DOWN A plane crash that occurred in November 1983 is now the end-point for an off-beat hike that starts at Waterrock Knob, one of WNC's most popular outdoor destinations. If you are walking uphill as opposed to returning from the summit, it will be on the left. Would you hike to this abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina? Will you be taking the hike? You probably dont need to reminder, but keep in mind it is a site where people died so keep it respectful when you visit. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. As it turned out, the plane could have made it over the mountain if it had been about 150 feet higher! The path is moderately difficult with roots and downed trees and muddy patches to negotiate. A highly-rated trail for hikers and explorers alike, the trail is two miles . Last year the door and seats where stolen off the plane. It can be easy to get hurt or lost while hiking to the airplane crash site. For us, this happens on most weekends. The adventure started at Waterrock Knob. As sad as it is it would be interesting to see this in person especially a plane from the 80s! Although we were dealing with low visibility, we knew we had reached Browning Knob once the forest cleared and we came to another lookout. I found an article in the Mountaineer called. People had clearly left their mark over the 36 years. Required fields are marked *. It was quite an eerie sight! This popular trail goes to the Waterrock Knob summit. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). I hung onto his leash with one hand, and used my free hand to grab tree trunks along the trail. . Both occupants were killed. The probable cause of the airplane crash was slight intoxication of the pilot, lack of experience flying in the mountains, and inclement weather that caused low visibility. Look at a map before you go as it's a little tricky. About halfway up though, the trail transitions to a dirt trail with rock steps. There are 41 sparks and recreation areas across the state, and each one seems to be more beautiful than the next. Roots and rocks were everywhere along the earthy trail. The aircraft then descended and crossed the snowbird VOR at about 6,700 feet. You can use 'Waterrock Knob Visitor Center' in Google Maps to get to the parking area. While we were gathered at the crash site more people started to come. Keep reading to learn how to hike to an airplane crash in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park via the Waterrock Knob trail. The trail begins at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and continues for a quarter mile up a well-marked, paved path to an observation point of the valley below. Oh the main graffiti tag is coming off tomorrow. Can You Do Dollywood in One Day? Shockingly enough, you can even make a day of it! Where can I hike to a cave in North Carolina? Upon reaching the parking lot, you will see the visitor center, which is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from mid-April through October. And, a Hawaiian woman who I will most likely never see again, held my hand, as if she were one of my closest friends. The crash site was eerie, especially knowing that my dad was piloting a similar plane in the 1990s and survived a crash. Hes Siennas sloth and he comes on hikes with us . There are affiliate links included in this post. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. Youll eventually come to Browning Knob.. While theres the obviously sad nature of why the plane is there to begin with, Im always interested in hikes that have some site, historical or otherwise, to see. Tammy arrived after Patrick; she was standing behind the plane on the slope. Be sure to also check out these other top destinations in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina: This post may contain affiliate links. Martin likely would have made it the rest of the way without much incident, had he been a couple of hundred feet higher. Youll have to be real careful, He said. They would never reach their destination, and the aftermath of the crash has lied deep in the mountains of North Carolina ever since. Offer subject to change without notice. Here are some of the best state parks in North Carolina: The real question iswhat state park shouldnt you visit in North Carolina? Hike this trail for another .5 mile and you will then reach the top of Browning Knob. Why did the plane remain? The young guy said hed heard about the hike, but not this time. If you are interested in hiking to this airplane crash, you also will probably enjoy hiking to Shuckstack Fire Tower. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. Its not very far: I wouldnt ever go alone to the crash, or too close to dusk. She brushed her hand across the. Located in the Smokey Mountains just outside of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, this hike is challenging due to its steep ascents and occasional scrambling over fallen trees and thick roots. We were there last fall and someone had spray painted the plane. The Plane Crash Site near the Waterrock Knob Trail. I found an article in the Mountaineer called How to Get to Heaven from Waterrock Knob from Mike Schoeffel. If we hike to the top elevation is 6,300 feet. After reaching the Waterrock Knob lookout, you will see a trail to the left. This nearly 40-year-old plane wreckage is located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. The windows were smashed; dark holes appearing to mysteriously lead into another dimension. Thank god someone cleaned up the graffiti. You wont be far from the visitors center, but with the thick canopy, its not a great place to be lost in the mountains. Due to the rugged terrain of the region, only the engines were salvageable. He was right on course, after all, just a little low. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/38801. As Im getting older I dont do it as much as I should and your pictures helped me see things I dont see much of anymore. The wreckage was uncovered by Civil Air Patrol members a week later near the summit of Waterrock Knob. Completely agree! Have you ever been to this crash site before? Because this hike is difficult, you will more than likely get hungry! I just give you as much information as possible to make that decision for yourself and I hope that helps. There are some days when you really get the itch to go on a hike. I thought about our hikes 20 years ago, when our son our Alex was five-years-old. Have you hiked at Waterrock? You will find the crash site at latitude 35.46354, longitude -83.13207. This blog post covers the hike to the Cessna 414 plane crash deep in the mountains of North Carolina and where to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have an awesome cinematic hiking vlog here for you guys!. Shuckstack Fire Tower is an old fire observatory tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park!