A B-29 Superfortress that has rested on the bottom of Lake Mead since 1948 is moving closer to the surface as the reservoir's water level declines. The bomber crashed on July 21, 1948, after a faulty altimeter read 400 feet above the water while the aircraft was actually traveling at 230 miles per hour. The plane struck the surface and sank in the Overton Arm, though the entire crew survived.
The wreck's location remained unknown to the public until the early 2000s, when mapping data revealed a plane-shaped anomaly. For years, the site was classified as a technical dive restricted to qualified divers, but the receding water has changed that status. The fuselage is now open to any diver up to the challenge, according to a social media post Wednesday by Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The National Park Service emphasized that the aircraft is a significant historic resource requiring a balance between recreational access and preservation. "The Lake Mead B-29 is such a unique, significant resource, the National Park Service balances recreational access with protection," the post stated. Officials reminded visitors that the site is open for observation only. "Wherever you may be diving in Lake Mead, follow Leave No Trace principles! The B29 site is open to divers for observing, not touching," the notice said.
The wreck has been documented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Wikipedia, and various diving organizations. 8 News Now has requested the current depth of the plane from Lake Mead officials and is awaiting a response.
Sources: 8 News Now
Original reporting: 8 News Now →
English (US)·