Back in 1986, I got a call from a friend, Dave, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He owned an airplane business, which dealt in old aircraft. Dave said how would I like an airplane. Without knowing why, I said sure.
Putting Plane Together
It turned out to be an old Beach D-18S, that started service in 1955. It served as a corporate aircraft, then as an air carrier for mail, then back to corporate. One landing the gear malfunctioned, causing one of the two engines to be damaged. The owners found that the replacement of the engine was more than the craft was worth. So it was decided to scrap it. They cut it into four segments. This plane had the twin vertical stabilizers on the tail, carried about 10 passengers, two pilots and a couple of cabin attendants.
Looking Through the Cockpit Windows
Now that I had a plane - - what was "I" going to do with it? This was not a simple question to answer.
A year was going to pass before anything really could be done. First, I had to contact the FAA to close out the planes number. Second, I had to decide where to place it. Being a diver, the only place, of course, would be underwater. Third, once I decided where, I had to get permission to place the plane from the lakes owners, etc. Forth, I had to make a solid plan for all concerned to help me place the plane in the water. Fifth, I had to be sure that the plane was ecologically sound so as not to destroy the flora and fauna of the lake. Several other concerns had to be answered.
The plan consisted of finding specialist in several areas. Keep in mind it was in four parts. I found two excellent sheet metal journeyman, a husband and wife team. Next, I had to get the metal to put the plane back together. An easy task. Aluminum was the choice. I made a flow chart with managers in specific areas. Safety, rescue, crowd control, photography - both still and video, news release, permits, trailers to cart the plane, wreckers to off-load the plane, etc. I will not explain all of the details due to limited space. I will, however, be more than happy to answer any email inquiries morys@comcast.net or questions. In fact, I created an Artificial Reef Specialty out of this for PADI. So there is more to the organization of this activity then a person realizes.
Getting Ready to Launch the Plane
The plane was moved from Santa Fe to Albuquerque about two months before moving to the lake of choice - - Perch Lake, Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Everything was a go for "launching".
It was an unbelievable experience. We ended up with about 25 persons, including a majority of divers assisting in the launching. It took 2-1/2 days to get it back together. It was rebuilt on the west side of the lake right at the waters edge. I had a concern that the plane would be difficult to launch, due to the bog next to the edge - which was about one foot underwater and 5 feet thick.
The launching arrived. I had placed a strong nylon sash around the wings, attached a nylon rope, placed the pillow bags - inflated them - and put the lift bags in their appropriate places. One of the divers started playing Wagners - "The Flight of the Valkyries" on his boom box. I had some champagne, and christened the nose of the plane. I also had an inflatable boat that we used to go on the east side of the lake to pick up the cable from a large tractor wrecker. The cable was very heavy after I extended it out 250 feet. It was a bear to get a nylon rope from the plane and the cable joined. This was accomplished. The weather was deteriorating, the winds and rain blowing from the southwest. A concern.
Checking Final Adjustments Prior to Sinking
The wrecker started pulling in the cable - the plane did not move - the cable got tighter - the plane did not move. I told several persons on the shore to sit on the tail, but to be careful. When this was done, the plane elevated enough to "sling-shot" out into the lake. Something like a catapult. To my surprise the planes momentum carried it beyond the "bog", floating not on the bags, but on its own fuel tank cells. When the cells flooded, the plane was in deep enough water letting the plane settle into the bags. The wind blew it right where I wanted it to go. On a pre-selected signal, the bags were deflated. The plane started to its last landing - 40 feet down. An awesome sight. One diver - a parachutist - stood in the passenger door and road the plane until it settled on the bottom. He later stated that it was like waiting to jump.
The plane landed in the exact position I wanted. About four hours later some divers stated that the resident snails were already crawling on the plane and the fish were mulling around. It appeared that the planes last landing would serve the purpose I intended.
The final project ended with several divers getting a specialty certification, and the later ability to dive on the plane. We had no injuries, no conflicts, and a good time by all.
Since the landing many divers from all over the States have come to Perch to dive on the plane. Many for enjoyment, many for advanced diving training. It is there for all divers to enjoy. A week after landing, the plane was officially turned over to the City of Santa Rosa to govern as they saw fit. A great milestone in my diving career.
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