Information About SR-71 That Crashed Near El Paso, Texas

I have posted here before my prior hiking trip  to locate the remains of a B-36 that crashed in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso in 1953.  Well reading the El Paso Times today I have learned of another interesting airplane crash that occurred in the area:

Both the Times and the Herald-Post reported on the crash that happened June 17, 1970. The location was reported as 20 miles east of El Paso.

On the day of the accident, the Herald-Post headline read, “Spy plane crashes near E.P; 2 Man Crew Bails Out.”

The article reported, “An Air Force SR-71, a long-range reconnaissance jet, crashed 20 miles east of El Paso at 9:30 a.m. today following routine refueling from a KC-135 Air Force tanker.

“The two-man crew successfully ejected and parachuted to safety. They were not seriously injured. The tanker continued to circle the area for some time, evidently an attempt by the pilot to see if the other crew made it to safety.

“The two men in the SR-71 were Lt. Col. Buddy L. Brown, 41, and Maj. Mortimer Jarvis, 36, according to information released by William Beaumont General Hospital. The crewmen were picked up by helicopter and taken to the hospital where they were examined and found not seriously injured.

“The

E.P; 2 Man Crew Bails Out.”The article reported, “An Air Force SR-71, a long-range reconnaissance jet, crashed 20 miles east of El Paso at 9:30 a.m. today following routine refueling from a KC-135 Air Force tanker.

“The two-man crew successfully ejected and parachuted to safety. They were not seriously injured. The tanker continued to circle the area for some time, evidently an attempt by the pilot to see if the other crew made it to safety.

“The two men in the SR-71 were Lt. Col. Buddy L. Brown, 41, and Maj. Mortimer Jarvis, 36, according to information released by William Beaumont General Hospital. The crewmen were picked up by helicopter and taken to the hospital where they were examined and found not seriously injured.  [El Paso Times]

You can read the rest at the link, but it would interesting to hike into this area and like with the B-36 crash site, see if there is any debris left over from the crash.  I would think there would be but first I would have to locate where the crash site was because 20 miles east of El Paso doesn’t really narrow it down much.  So I did some Googling and found this aircraft archaeology page where the researchers actually found the crash site.  According to the article there is still debris there for people to see.  However, the article did not provide directions to the crash site.  I will have to continue to research this location but if anyone knows where the SR-71 crashed please leave a comment.

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

18 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Darrell Milton
Darrell Milton
12 years ago

I’m an aviation buff since childhood, and currently live in El Paso. I’m using various resources to locate this wreck site myself. If you’re still interested, let me know. I plan to visit the area in the near future.

Darrell Milton
Darrell Milton
12 years ago

I’ll definitely touch base with you if/when I locate the crash site. If possible please e-mail me with a direct/private method to contact you, once I find it.

Darrell Milton
Darrell Milton
12 years ago

I made a trip to the site, but did not locate the main crash site. I did find one interesting part partly buried, and am attempting to have it identified. I’m going back out soon, and think I’ve found the site during further Google Earth research. I was very close on my previous visit.

Michael Kennedy
Michael Kennedy
12 years ago

This Friday marks the 41st anniversary of the crash of Blackbird # 61-17970 East of El Paso. Like you gentlemen who posted above, I am an avid aviation buff with a special interest in aircraft crashes in and around El Paso. Visiting crash sites is not only a means of exercise and adventure but also, for me, further research toward the building of commemorative models. It is a way of recognizing and thanking air crews who daily risk their lives in service to their contry. In the building of these models, I like to fashion bases and stands made from… Read more »

karl stanford
karl stanford
12 years ago

Good evening,I had the oppurtunity to trek the franklins.Iwas 11years old when my brother received his wing’s and joined The Civil Air Patrol. Istill know the exact location where the b-36 crashed. The only evidence there is today is 1 A wheel holder plus a section of propellar still showing stuck in the ground

Kevin
Kevin
12 years ago

Karl…I know exactly where the crash site is and have been there many times. I live in El Paso, and I have made a 1/72 scale model of SR-71 ser no 17970 with a piece of the aircraft glued to it.

Kevin
Kevin
12 years ago

Michael…send me a PM.

Darrell Milton
Darrell Milton
Reply to  Kevin
12 years ago

Kevin, I’ve been out to look for the site twice now, but wasn’t able to find the main site. It’s possible I found a part that landed north of the impact crater/debris field, and am having Honeywell ID it for me, as it was made by Bendix Aviation Corp in the 60s, from what I can tell. I can give you the GPS coords for where I’ve looked & where I found the part. Can you offer GPS coords of the site; I’m wondering how far off I’ve been. Planned to go further south next time out. Roughly S &… Read more »

Michael Kennedy
Michael Kennedy
Reply to  Kevin
12 years ago

Hi Kevin,

I’m building a 1/48 scale model in-flight and want to fashion a base using actual aircraft pieces, much as you did with your model. I can be reached at: mkennedy.1127@yahoo.com. TIA

Darrell Milton
Darrell Milton
Reply to  Kevin
12 years ago

Kevin,

I can be reached @ dwmilton@aol.com

thanks

Kevin
Kevin
12 years ago

The rain helps bring pieces to the surface…you will be surprised how easy it is to find this site.

Darrell Milton
Darrell Milton
Reply to  Kevin
12 years ago

Kevin,

Can you contact me via e-mail dwmilton@aol.com

Thanks, Darrell

Michael Kennedy
Michael Kennedy
Reply to  Darrell Milton
12 years ago

Kevin,

Drop me a line too, if you would, please. See my e-mail addy above. Thanks!

Kevin
Kevin
12 years ago

Darrell, Mike, Email sent.
Kevin

Plotzke
Plotzke
6 years ago

Kevin, Darrell, and Mike. 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 please you 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 My email is… Read more »

18
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x