Laurinburg-Maxton Aircraft Boneyard

Think “aircraft boneyard” and you might picture a stretch of barren land out in Arizona or other parts of the American Southwest. It would be easy to overlook the assortment of abandoned jets quietly decomposing in an old Army Air Force field back East.

Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, about two hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, is currently home to a number of retired 727s, 747s, and DC-10s in various states of disrepair. All former Northwest Airlines planes, these vintage aircraft are now sold for scraps.

Many of the retired planes are missing their engines and rudders, which have been purchased from the Airport’s salvage yard, which is owned by the Charlotte Aircraft Corporation. 

One of the planes, an abandoned Boeing 747-100, even had its nose cut off; the front of the plane was removed and transported to Washington DC, where you might recognize it as the 747 displayed in front of the National Air and Space Museum. The noble nose stands as a proud reminder of the time when these old birds ruled the skies.

Update February 2017: The Laurinburg-Maxton Aircraft Boneyard is no longer allowing people on property to photograph the planes due to people visiting without permission and stealing and breaking things. Visitors can be arrested for trespassing.