WW2 Bomber in Lake Mead

B-29 “Superfortress” Is Now Within Reach

In 1948 a B-29 “Superfortress” on a secret mission above the Mojave Desert crashed into Lake Mead in Nevada. All five crew members aboard survived the crash. At the time, the plane landed in 400 feet of water in an area of the lake that was not easily accessible.

Now with a severe drought hitting the Southwestern part of the US, the lake’s water level has receded and the plane is now in only 105 feet of water making it finally easier to reach. Tech Diving Limited was chosen by the National Park Service to lead dives to the site.

Read more about the “ship” wreck.

The B-29 “Superfortress” played many roles in World War II, including carrying the atomic bomb, but this particular plane didn’t make it to the Pacific theater, or even out of Nevada …

Today, over 70 years later, the plane remains untouched on the bottom of Lake Mead. Thanks to falling water levels, it’s becoming easier to find and explore.

According to the accident report, the plane had climbed to 30,000 feet before descending to perform a “minimum altitude test.” It then struck the water, ripping off three of its four engines.

“It is a protected site, and we try to keep is as intact as possible,” said Silverstein (VP of Tech Diving Limited). “It’s in a fairly remote location that requires a lot of logistics to get to.”

Because Lake Mead doesn’t have strong currents like the ocean, Silverstein explains, “the plane looks almost exactly like it did when it sank.”

To read the entire article by Graham Rapier in Business Insider, click here.

Here’s video of divers exploring the wreckage: