Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
22 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
22 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
22 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
22 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Virginia Bedford Sharp Top Crash Site
AO Edited

Sharp Top Crash Site

A glimpse into the sacrifices of military members during World War II.

Bedford, Virginia

Added By
Traveling Maven
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Remnants.   Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
Remnants.   Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
Memorial plaque at the site.   Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
The crash site is near the summit of Sharp Top   apbreuhan / Atlas Obscura User
  apbreuhan / Atlas Obscura User
The crash site.   LauraAndFauna / Atlas Obscura User
  DrBenway / Atlas Obscura User
  LauraAndFauna / Atlas Obscura User
Engine.   Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
Sharp Top Mountain, as seen from near the Peaks of Otter Lodge.   LauraAndFauna / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

An Army Air Force B-25D flying a nighttime navigation training mission was supposed to be a routine exercise, however, it ended in tragedy. On February 2, 1943, the plane crashed at 3,100 feet on the side of Sharp Top Mountain in southwest Virginia.

The forest is slowly reclaiming the wreckage but still visible is a large portion of one wing, a large radial engine, and some unidentified pieces wrapped around trees. There were five crewmen aboard this tragic flight, whose names are now listed on a memorial at the site.

Related Tags

Crash Site Airplanes History Memorials

Know Before You Go

The location is hidden to prevent vandalism but asking a local or exploring on your own will lead you to the site. It’s a steep climb to and from the site on an unimproved trail. Be careful, as snakes and other insects are plentiful. 

If you go please remember that this is a memorial site. Treat this entire area as you would any other place of honor. Leave no trace of garbage and take nothing away from the site.

Community Contributors

Added By

Traveling Maven

Edited By

LauraAndFauna, DrBenway, apbreuhan

  • LauraAndFauna
  • DrBenway
  • apbreuhan

Published

August 30, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.roanoke8thairforce.com/sharptopcrash
  • http://rightsideva.blogspot.com/2008/07/sharp-top-mountain-b-25-bomber.html
Sharp Top Crash Site
Bedford, Virginia, 24523
United States
37.446804, -79.602536

Nearby Places

National D-Day Memorial

Bedford, Virginia

miles away

The Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge, Virginia

miles away

Hidden J.R.R. Tolkien Quote

Natural Bridge, Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bedford

Bedford

Virginia

Places 2

Nearby Places

National D-Day Memorial

Bedford, Virginia

miles away

The Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge, Virginia

miles away

Hidden J.R.R. Tolkien Quote

Natural Bridge, Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bedford

Bedford

Virginia

Places 2

Related Places

  • B-29 ‘Over Exposed’ Crash Site

    Glossop, England

    B-29 'Over Exposed' Crash Site

    The wreck of a B-29 Superfortress now stands as a memorial left in the moors.

  • Memorial, across from the airport

    Utqiagvik, Alaska

    Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial

    Commemorating the lives of a renowned humorist and a famed aviator who died in a plane crash in northern Alaska.

  • Tributes to Paul and Shiela Wellstone

    Eveleth, Minnesota

    Paul Wellstone Memorial

    A memorial to the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, who died at this location, along with seven others, in a plane crash in 2002.

  • Kovach, Alberta

    Memorial Lakes

    Three pristine alpine lakes named in memorial of an accident that resulted in three different plane crashes.

  • Memorial

    Kowen, Australia

    1940 Canberra Air Disaster Memorial

    This memorial marks the site of not only of a tragic wreck, but an event that led to the downfall of a wartime government.

  • Kurana Aeroplane Crash Memorial

    Mount Macedon, Australia

    Kurana Aeroplane Crash Memorial

    A monument commemorating the lives lost when a plane crashed into Mount Macedon in 1948.

  • WWII Royal Air Force Crash Sites

    Mid and East Antrim, Northern Ireland

    WWII Royal Air Force Crash Sites

    This memorial site offers scenic views and a peaceful place for reflection.

  • Ballum, Netherlands

    Dixie Flyer Crash

    Found in the waddenzee, this propeller has been put on public display as a reminder of the Second World War.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.