Hart Mine Airport Piper Navajo 10/18/08

On 1/14/79, the pilot of the Piper PA-31 Navajo, N6567L attempted a nonstop flight from Kennewick, Washington to San Diego, California. The aircraft had insufficient fuel on board to complet ...

2009-08-22T10:04:51Z

Joe Idoni
On 1/14/79, the pilot of the Piper PA-31 Navajo, N6567L attempted a nonstop flight from Kennewick, Washington to San Diego, California. The aircraft had insufficient fuel on board to complet ...

A few more miles on this dirt road and I'll get to the starting point for the hike to the Navajo crash site.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
A few more miles on this dirt road and I'll get to the starting point for the hike to the Navajo crash site.

I started the hike from here.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
I started the hike from here.

As I approached the area the Piper Navajo went down, I could see some wreckage on the hill up ahead.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
As I approached the area the Piper Navajo went down, I could see some wreckage on the hill up ahead.

Getting closer I could make out two large pieces of wreckage. The Piper crashed in an area with a lot of joshua trees.

2008-10-20T13:02:05Z

Joe Idoni
Getting closer I could make out two large pieces of wreckage. The Piper crashed in an area with a lot of joshua trees.

Coming up on the first piece of wreckage.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Coming up on the first piece of wreckage.

Turned out to be the tail section.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Turned out to be the tail section.

The left horizontal stabilizer was missing.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The left horizontal stabilizer was missing.

It was shot full of holes, but could make out "N656" on this side. Seems like anything left out in the desert ends up full of holes.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
It was shot full of holes, but could make out "N656" on this side. Seems like anything left out in the desert ends up full of holes.

On the other side the was the rest of the number, the plane is N6567L.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
On the other side the was the rest of the number, the plane is N6567L.

Another view of the tail section.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the tail section.

Rudder was missing from the fin.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Rudder was missing from the fin.

Linkage for the elevators.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Linkage for the elevators.

Close up of the elevator control horn with the Piper name on it.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the elevator control horn with the Piper name on it.

The mount on the elevator also had Piper on it and an inspection stamp.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The mount on the elevator also had Piper on it and an inspection stamp.

Some desert critters have made a home here.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Some desert critters have made a home here.

Bottom side of the right stab.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Bottom side of the right stab.

Trim tab on elevator.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Trim tab on elevator.

This reel with cable wound on it looks like it's a part of the actuator for the trim tab.

2008-10-20T13:08:42Z

Joe Idoni
This reel with cable wound on it looks like it's a part of the actuator for the trim tab.

Access covers.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Access covers.

This was the only piece of wreckage near the tail, looks like part of some control linkage.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
This was the only piece of wreckage near the tail, looks like part of some control linkage.

Me with the tail section. Time to check out the other piece I saw from a distance, can't see it from here.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Me with the tail section. Time to check out the other piece I saw from a distance, can't see it from here.

Looking back as I hike up the hill, I could see the Hart Mine Airport. The pilot of this Navajo was attemting to land on one of it's two dirt strips after running low on fuel when it crashed ...

2008-10-20T13:09:46Z

Joe Idoni
Looking back as I hike up the hill, I could see the Hart Mine Airport. The pilot of this Navajo was attemting to land on one of it's two dirt strips after running low on fuel when it crashed ...

Zoomed in on the east/west runway.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Zoomed in on the east/west runway.

A wing on top of the hill.

2008-10-20T13:11:24Z

Joe Idoni
A wing on top of the hill.

Me with the wing section.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Me with the wing section.

Turned out to be the right wing and a section of the burned out fuselage.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Turned out to be the right wing and a section of the burned out fuselage.

Another view of the wing. Looks like this was the impact area, some melted aluminum and a lot of little pieces scattered around. edit

2008-10-20T13:14:32Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the wing. Looks like this was the impact area, some melted aluminum and a lot of little pieces scattered around. edit

The remains of the fuselage.

2008-10-20T13:15:03Z

Joe Idoni
The remains of the fuselage.

Rusty rear seat rails.

2008-10-20T13:15:28Z

Joe Idoni
Rusty rear seat rails.

Another view of the fuselage.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the fuselage.

The main wing spar could be seen.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The main wing spar could be seen.

The main spar from the back, it's been cut.

2008-10-20T13:16:00Z

Joe Idoni
The main spar from the back, it's been cut.

Control calbes in the floor.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Control calbes in the floor.

The engine nacelle.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The engine nacelle.

It has a aluminum frame work with a fiberglass skin.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
It has a aluminum frame work with a fiberglass skin.

The rear compartment is for cargo and I think the front held a fuel tank.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The rear compartment is for cargo and I think the front held a fuel tank.

This section of flap was the only control surface on the wing. The X use to be dayglow red, but has faded to white.

2008-10-20T13:18:06Z

Joe Idoni
This section of flap was the only control surface on the wing. The X use to be dayglow red, but has faded to white.

Another view of the nacelle.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the nacelle.

Looking down the leading ledge.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down the leading ledge.

Close up of the damaged wing tip.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the damaged wing tip.

Firewall

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Firewall

The engine mount was cut off.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The engine mount was cut off.

Close up look at part of the cut off engine mount.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Close up look at part of the cut off engine mount.

Looking under the wing, I could see the main gear was in the down position. The lower part of the gear was gone.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Looking under the wing, I could see the main gear was in the down position. The lower part of the gear was gone.

A frame to a speaker. After checking out the wing, I started looking at the small pieces scattered around the area.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
A frame to a speaker. After checking out the wing, I started looking at the small pieces scattered around the area.

Looks like a battery box.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like a battery box.

This fairly large piece is a from the fuselage.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
This fairly large piece is a from the fuselage.

Seatbelt buckle.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Seatbelt buckle.

Another reel with cable wound on it like the one on the elevator trim tab. Figure it must be from one of the other control surface trim tabs.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Another reel with cable wound on it like the one on the elevator trim tab. Figure it must be from one of the other control surface trim tabs.

Lot of small stuff in the burned area. The little box has three BNC connectors on it.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Lot of small stuff in the burned area. The little box has three BNC connectors on it.

Burned circuit board.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Burned circuit board.

Nearby was the cover for the nacelle cargo compartment.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Nearby was the cover for the nacelle cargo compartment.

This looks like a filter. It was about a hundred feet away from the main wreckage, but it wasn't able to escape the shotgun blasts.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
This looks like a filter. It was about a hundred feet away from the main wreckage, but it wasn't able to escape the shotgun blasts.

Remains of a three ring binder.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Remains of a three ring binder.

One of the flight instruments.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
One of the flight instruments.

Hinge

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Hinge

The runway can be seen in the background. Decided to check it out on the way back to the truck. In this shot, you can also see the upper part of the north/south runway.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
The runway can be seen in the background. Decided to check it out on the way back to the truck. In this shot, you can also see the upper part of the north/south runway.

Last look before I start the hike to the runway.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Last look before I start the hike to the runway.

As I was leaving the site I happened to look down and see this piece stuck through the base of a dead and fallen joshua tree.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
As I was leaving the site I happened to look down and see this piece stuck through the base of a dead and fallen joshua tree.

Looking back at the tail and wing as I hike to the runways.

2008-10-20T12:48:14Z

Joe Idoni
Looking back at the tail and wing as I hike to the runways.

This shot was taken from the intersection of the two runways looking towards the crash site. This 1800 foot east/west runway is in bad shape, looks like it's been closed for a long time. It' ...

2008-10-20T13:24:39Z

Joe Idoni
This shot was taken from the intersection of the two runways looking towards the crash site. This 1800 foot east/west runway is in bad shape, looks like it's been closed for a long time. It' ...

This is a shot of the 3600 foot north/south runway taken from it's south end. It too is overgrown and has a road running up the center of it.

2008-10-20T13:26:41Z

Joe Idoni
This is a shot of the 3600 foot north/south runway taken from it's south end. It too is overgrown and has a road running up the center of it.

Looking out at the area that holds the Piper Navajo's resting place as I eat my lunch before starting the drive home.

2008-10-20T13:28:28Z

Joe Idoni
Looking out at the area that holds the Piper Navajo's resting place as I eat my lunch before starting the drive home.

On the drive back to the highway.

2009-03-20T13:49:22Z

Joe Idoni
On the drive back to the highway.

Google Earth view of the Hart Mine Airport. I looked up info on it and found that as of 5/6/08, the FAA lists it as: Airport Identifier: 9CL4 Airport Status: Operational (I don't thin ...

2008-10-20T13:29:24Z

Joe Idoni
Google Earth view of the Hart Mine Airport. I looked up info on it and found that as of 5/6/08, the FAA lists it as: Airport Identifier: 9CL4 Airport Status: Operational (I don't thin ...