SR-71 Blackbird crash site

SR-71 Blackbird crash site
El Paso County, Texas (TX), US
An SR-71A Blackbird (no.61-7970) crashed at this location in the desert east of El Paso on 17 June 1970. The spyplane had been receiving fuel from a KC-135 when it suddenly pitched downward. The pilot then over-corrected causing the Blackbird to strike the underside of the tanker. Both Blackbird crewmen ejected and parachuted to safety as the stricken SR-71 fell to earth. The KC-135 was able to land at its home base (Beale AFB) with the damaged refueling boom dragging the runway.

The military removed most of the wreckage from the crash site then filled the impact crater, but many small pieces of the plane remain scattered in the desert.
An SR-71A Blackbird (no.61-7970) crashed at this location in the desert east of El Paso on 17 June 1970. The spyplane had been receiving fuel from a KC-135 when it suddenly pitched downward. The pilot then over-corrected causing the Blackbird to strike the underside of the tanker. Both Blackbird crewmen ejected and parachuted to safety as the stricken SR-71 fell to earth. The KC-135 was able to land at its home base (Beale AFB) with the damaged refueling boom dragging the runway.

The military removed most of the wreckage from the crash site then filled the impact crater, but many small pieces of the plane remain scattered in the desert.
View in Google Earth Historical, Airplanes - Wreckage
Links: www.thexhunters.com
By: daggerwell

Advertisement

Nearby:

Advertisement

Around the World Mailing List

Comments

Policies
Please enable images and enter code to post
Reload
Anonymous picture
Anonymous
@ 2017-10-07 14:29:54
Visited the site 10/07/17. The site remains as it was in 2012. There are hundreds of small pieces of metal and other debris scattered across a field about 100 yards long. The site is actually fairly easy to reach, but (a) have a 4x4 and (b) do not try this after a recent rain, as a large section of the key access road becomes a string of ponds and mud holes.
JimPlotzke picture
JimPlotzke
@ 2018-01-09 18:44:47
I know this is a long shot, and on short notice. I’m a aero engineering student, and my friends and I are going to Texas this March during spring break to hike around Big Bend. If possible, could you please email me the location for the 970 site (GPS coordinates, road directions, etc.). I’ve never hunted for crash sites before, and doubt I’ll find it on my own.

I want to find the 970 crash site and bring back a piece to my relative, who worked on the SR-71 and its prototypes. http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/fox.html

I promise I won't share any information about the crash site except with my small group of friends that I go with. I don't wish to see the crash site looted by someone looking to make a quick buck.

My email is jplotzke@iastate.edu
Please contact me with whatever you can offer, and I'll trade you some funny stories that Bill has told me over the years.

Advertisement