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All the United States New Mexico Cedar Crest TWA Flight 260 Crash Site

TWA Flight 260 Crash Site

Deadly airliner crash preserved for those willing to climb and pay respects.

Cedar Crest, New Mexico

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Hard to see but crash site seen from cable car heading up to the top (taken in 2014)   zincmastermcnamara578 / Atlas Obscura User
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In a secluded canyon tucked into Sandia Peak above Albuquerque, New Mexico, a sign and wreckage commemorate the 1955 crash of Trans World Airlines Flight 260. The flight, a Martin 4-0-4, left Albuquerque airport on February 19 at 7:00 a.m. en route to Santa Fe. Ten minutes later, the plane crashed into Sandia Peak, killing all aboard (thirteen passengers and three crew). The National Transportation Safety Board later determined a failure of the navigational instruments as the cause of the crash.

Though the bodies of the victims were removed, much of the mechanical wreckage remains at the site, as well as a sign recording the details of the disaster and the names and hometowns of the victims. The site is located in a narrow ravine near the top of the mountain. The famous Sandia Peak Tramway cable car travels above the site.

The 3.5-mile trail to the site is a moderate-to-strenuous climb through the Cibola National Forest. Sections of the trail are difficult to follow, so a map or directions are recommended. A small creek flows along the trail route in some months.

Related Tags

Aircraft Crash Site Disasters Intriguing Environs Disaster Areas Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

From Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque, take the Domingo Baca/TWA Canyon trail up the mountain.

Community Contributors

Added By

philcrater

Edited By

knydle, mattheyns, MagnumPI, zincmastermcnamara578

  • knydle
  • mattheyns
  • MagnumPI
  • zincmastermcnamara578

Published

March 7, 2011

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  • Wikipedia: TWA Flight 260: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_260
TWA Flight 260 Crash Site
Grand Enchantment Trail
Cedar Crest, New Mexico, 87008
United States
35.19282, -106.440228
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Nearby Places

TinkerTown

Sandia Park, New Mexico

miles away

Sandia Medallion Trees

Cedar Crest, New Mexico

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Little Beaver Town

Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Photo of New Mexico

New Mexico

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Places 179
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TinkerTown

Sandia Park, New Mexico

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Mexico

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Places 179
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