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.
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About The Author
Dobbs
I am a avid hiker with a love for travel and the outdoors. I currently call the Evergreen State of Washington my home.
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 thanks for commenting and please let me know if you ever locate where this site is located. I went out last weekend driving around the desert in the area of the crash trying to find it by terrain navigating using the crash site photos. I couldn’t find it that way and finding the grid coordinates of the site would be the best way to locate it. I have looked around the Internet trying to find grid coordinates but so far have been unsuccessful.
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 you can send me a private e-mail via my Contact Me page: http://on-walkabout.com/contact-me/
Cheers.
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.
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 »
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
Hi Karl, I have pictures posted of the B-36 crash site. There is actually quite a bit of wreckage still left from the crash that is only accessible through a pretty strigent hike up the side of the Franklins.
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.
Michael…send me a PM.
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 »
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
Kevin,
I can be reached @ dwmilton@aol.com
thanks
The rain helps bring pieces to the surface…you will be surprised how easy it is to find this site.
Kevin,
Can you contact me via e-mail dwmilton@aol.com
Thanks, Darrell
Kevin,
Drop me a line too, if you would, please. See my e-mail addy above. Thanks!
Darrell, Mike, Email sent.
Kevin
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 »