10 Incredible Planes Abandoned at Crash Sites

Airplanes have changed the course of history and brought new challenges in their use and maintenance. Not all aircraft find a happy end in active service. Some are left behind in remote areas, hidden by nature or lost in time. We explore the stories of 10 remarkable planes that were abandoned at crash sites. Their tales are based on factual records and serve as a window into the past, showing how even great machines can be forgotten in the harshest conditions.

IL-28 U Bomber in the Russian Forest

Deep in the thick forests of Russia, an IL-28 U bomber lies hidden among the trees. This aircraft, once used by the Soviet Union, was left in the wild after military operations slowed down when the old regime collapsed. A local man, who ventured into the forest to pick mushrooms, was the first to find the forgotten plane in many years. He took photographs that revealed the aircraft still carried much of its original equipment, including its power supply and radar system. The plane stands as a silent record of a time when vast tracts of land were used to store old military hardware.

IL-76 Cargo Plane with a Shady Past

Another story comes from the legacy of a Soviet-era cargo plane. The IL-76 was built in Uzbekistan and served as a freight aircraft during the 1980s before joining the Russian Air Force after the collapse of the old union. Later, it was sold to a private airline from Sharjah, a company that faced many civil aviation violations. With its new owner troubled by legal issues, the plane was left to weather under the hot sun in Al-Qurain. Its story is marked by changes in ownership and the shifting fortunes of the airline, which eventually closed down.

AN-12 on Graham Bell Island

In a cold and remote corner of the Arctic Ocean lies Graham Bell Island, home to a Russian military airstrip used only part of the year. Here, a Soviet-era AN-12 crashed in 1973. The landing was not as severe as a violent crash; it was more like a long slide on the icy ground. Although the crew survived, the harsh weather made it impossible to salvage the plane. Today, the AN-12 remains in place, a familiar landmark for those who visit the small settlement on the island. The aircraft shows clear signs of weather and snow damage while still displaying its original markings.

German BF 109 G2 and Soviet IL-2 in a Murmansk Lake

Near the city of Murmansk, a lake holds the remnants of two aircraft from different forces. A German BF 109 G2, marked by bullet holes and patches on its body, was found underwater. While a team of salvage workers was retrieving the German fighter, they discovered a Soviet IL-2 as well. The German plane had made an emergency landing on the lake in 1944 and later, the Soviet aircraft had crashed into the water the previous year. Both planes have been recovered and are now part of a local museum, where they remind visitors of a time when air battles took place over frozen lakes.

B-17 Flying Fortress “Swamp Ghost” in Papua New Guinea

The B-17 Flying Fortress, once known simply for its strength in battle, earned the nickname “Swamp Ghost” in Papua New Guinea. After an attack in 1942, the pilot, Fred Eaton Jr., was forced to make an emergency landing in a dense swamp. The damaged aircraft remained hidden for decades until it was rediscovered about 30 years later. Due to the remote location and challenging swamp conditions, it took many years to extract the plane. Salvaged in 2006 and restored over the following years, this aircraft now serves as a museum piece in California, attracting those who wish to see a relic from an earlier era.

P-39 Airacobra in a Frozen Lake

The P-39 Airacobra was once part of a lend-lease program that provided aircraft to allies during the war. One of these fighters broke away from its formation and disappeared over a frozen lake in Russia. More than 60 years later, researchers discovered that a failure in two engine rods had caused the plane to lose oil pressure, forcing it to ditch into the water. Remarkably, many items such as flight logs and even tins of food remain on board. The aircraft was eventually returned to its original assembly plant, marking a long and unusual chapter in its life.

Lost Squadron in Greenland’s Ice

During a severe blizzard over Greenland in 1942, a small fleet of aircraft was forced to land on ice. Six P-38 fighters and two B-17 Flying Fortresses ended up buried in thick sheets of frozen snow. While the crews were rescued, the planes were left behind. One P-38 was recovered in 1992 after being found under layers of ice. Another P-38, known by its call sign “Echo,” was located in 2018. Plans have been made to use heat plate technology to melt the ice and extract the plane. These aircraft, frozen in time, provide a rare glimpse into the hardships faced during wartime in the harshest conditions.

FACA Wolf FW 190 in a Russian Forest

In a dense Russian forest, a fighter aircraft known as the FACA Wolf FW 190 was discovered after many years of neglect. The plane had made an emergency landing in 1943 and was damaged by battle and time. A local huntsman first spotted the wreck and provided information to investigators. An American collector later took interest in the aircraft and had it shipped to the United States, where it underwent extensive restoration. The story of the FACA Wolf serves as a reminder of the many aircraft that have been lost in remote regions and later revived by passionate individuals.

Curtiss C-46 Commando “Miss Piggy” in Canada

The Curtiss C-46 Commando earned the nickname “Miss Piggy” because of its large cargo capacity. This aircraft, which saw action in 1945 and later served as a cargo plane for Canada, suffered an engine failure in November 1979. While taking off from Churchill Airport, it was heavily laden and could not make it back to the runway. The plane ended up ditching in the wilderness, only a short distance from the airport. Although the crew was unharmed, the aircraft was left behind. Today, “Miss Piggy” remains at the crash site near a steep cliff, where it has become a local tourist attraction.

RAF Kitty Hawk in the Sahara Desert

A British RAF Kitty Hawk was discovered in the vast sands of the Sahara Desert in 2012. This plane had crashed 70 years earlier and, thanks to the dry environment, remained largely intact with only light damage from impact. The aircraft was found as a well-preserved relic, almost like a time capsule of its day. The British government expressed interest in recovering the plane, but local authorities in Egypt carried out their own restoration work. Their efforts included the use of modern materials to patch holes and repaint certain areas, though these changes were not part of the original design. Today, the restored Kitty Hawk is on display at a military museum, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of aviation.