Las Vegas Airlines Flight 88 originated from North Las Vegas Airport on the morning of August 17, 1983. N88LV was a Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain with a pilot and nine tourists traveling to the Grand Canyon Airport.
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Wreckage can be seen from the air lying on a 45 degree slope. The main body of wreckage consists of the tail section along with a portion of the left wing.
Although the crash site lies within the Grand Canyon, the land itself is governed by the Hualapai Indian Nation and access can only be granted by tribal permission. The airspace over the site is also restricted by current FAA SFRA Airspace Restrictions.
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Wreckage can be seen from the air lying on a 45 degree slope. The main body of wreckage consists of the tail section along with a portion of the left wing.
Although the crash site lies within the Grand Canyon, the land itself is governed by the Hualapai Indian Nation and access can only be granted by tribal permission. The airspace over the site is also restricted by current FAA SFRA Airspace Restrictions.
This photo was captured from an early 1980s Las Vegas Airlines tour brochure. The photo displays the same paint scheme that N88LV (Las Vegas 88) would have had at the time of the accident.
Incidently, the aircraft pictured N22LV, was destroyed in the early morning hours of May 20, 1987 when an intoxicated aircraft mechanic decided to try and fly the aircraft. The plane traveled about 3 miles from the North Las Vegas Airport before it impacted inverted in an open field.
Incidently, the aircraft pictured N22LV, was destroyed in the early morning hours of May 20, 1987 when an intoxicated aircraft mechanic decided to try and fly the aircraft. The plane traveled about 3 miles from the North Las Vegas Airport before it impacted inverted in an open field.
The formation known as "Gus's Plateau" is a 6,400 foot mesa located in the mid-western portion of the Grand Canyon.
The plateau is encompassed by the Hualapai Indian Reservation and therefore requires a permit from the tribe to access.
Unlike other parts of the Grand Canyon, there are no trails to this location.
The plateau is encompassed by the Hualapai Indian Reservation and therefore requires a permit from the tribe to access.
Unlike other parts of the Grand Canyon, there are no trails to this location.
Just above the circled wreckage is where "Las Vegas 88" impacted the cliff face. A mere 30 feet from the top of the plateau.
This aerial photo shows the wreckage of "Las Vegas 88". The vertical wall just above the wreckage is about 350 feet.
The main wreckage is located on a slope angled at about 45 degrees. The slope drops off into a 150 foot vertical cliff.
The goal is to access this slope and document the remaining wreckage.
The main wreckage is located on a slope angled at about 45 degrees. The slope drops off into a 150 foot vertical cliff.
The goal is to access this slope and document the remaining wreckage.
This photo taken during a low pass over the crash site in 1996, shows the largest sections plus many of the various smaller fragments.
The green and blue fragment is the painted vertical stabilizer with a portion of the left wing and nacelle lying on top.
The green and blue fragment is the painted vertical stabilizer with a portion of the left wing and nacelle lying on top.
This more recent aerial photo taken during November 2008 indicates very little movement of wreckage during the past 12 years.
These components appear to be portions of the horizontal stabilizers (11/08).
These fragments were seen downslope from the main wreckage and appear to be a small door or fuselage fragment. The other fragment to the right appears to be the tailcone from the aft fuselage. (11/08).
A tire/wheel assembly with attached gear strut (11/08).
The ATV was loaded with all my gear for a four day hike to the crash site, but with the air temperature increasing with each hour I was already having doubts about the trip.
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