A U.S. Navy Douglas A-1H Skyraider
An aircraft, identified as an A-1 Skyraider or AD-4L, has been discovered off Mission Beach, San Diego in a relatively shallow area. The wreckage has apparently been undiscovered since it crash landed in 1953 – more than 60 years ago.
The plane was found in 60 feet of water with its 20-millimeter cannons still intact, two on each wing, with hundreds of other pieces scattered around the wreckage area.
The plane was found by diver Dennis Burns.
“Just today I was talking to the daughter of the pilot whom, on the day of the crash, her mother was 8 months pregnant with her and her father was out flying airplanes over the ocean and landing them in the ocean and they’re just beside themselves,” Burns said. “They’re wanting to come out and dive on the plane themselves.”
Dennis Burns and partner Dr. Ruth Yo will be working with the San Diego Aerospace Museum to determine how they can share their discovery, while at the same time preserving it.
See the above video for the latest details. You can also find the incident report, flight manual and other information at lajollasealife.com.
It’s important for divers to know that the exact position of the wreckage has not been revealed, and divers should refrain from attempting to dive this site until procedures have been set up to both protect it from treasure hunters and preserve it for research and future divers.
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