The venerable old Lockheed Martin L1011 Tristar plane, with its three wing- and tail-mounted engines, would have been a sight in the air or on the ground, let alone deep below the surface of the Red Sea, among the fish and coral. The derelict aircraft, sunk in 2019 to create an artificial reef to encourage marine life, was photographed by American underwater photographer Brett Holzer in a series of images that capture the eerie sight this watercraft creates. The three-engine Lockheed Martin Tristar flew for commercial airlines in the 1980s and 1990s. Brett Hoelzer/Deep Blue Dive Center According to Holzer, the jet has now become a haven for wreck explorers and underwater photographers. It was first registered in the 1980s and had services for several airlines, including, according to Planespotters.net, Royal Jordanian, Portugal’s TAP Air and Sweden’s Novair, before, after a final stint with Luzair, another Portuguese carrier, was abandoned in the early 2000s. After being parked and apparently forgotten for years at King Hussein International Airport near the shores of the Red Sea, the plane sank in Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba with the aim of encouraging diving tourism and coral growth, according to Jordan’s Petra News Agency. Holzer says it is at a depth of 15 to 28 meters (50-92 feet), with the tail of the plane at the deepest end. “The cockpit is the shallowest part of the wreck and faces the beach about 13 meters,” Holcher told CNN Arabic.
It floats on a plane
Divers can explore the cockpit and cabin. Brett Hoelzer/Deep Blue Dive Center Professional divers can enter the wreck through two doors behind the cockpit. Inside the fuselage of the Tristar, the middle row seats have been removed to allow better access for divers, but otherwise the jet is surprisingly well preserved. “Divers can go back through the last two exit doors, which are at a depth of 28 meters,” says Holzer. “Or they can exit through the middle doors, which are about 20 meters deep.” The cockpit, rows of seats on either side, lavatories and galleys are still in place, allowing divers to float around a mostly intact commercial airliner, says the photographer. After three years in the water, the plane’s wings are now home to many soft corals. The hull is surrounded by huge sponges inhabited by a variety of marine life. “It’s not uncommon to find octopuses feeding near coral heads,” says Holzer. The puffer fish can also be seen. The real thrill, he says, is the uniqueness of exploring a passenger plane on the sea floor. “This adventure gives a realistic experience of diving inside a real commercial aircraft,” says Holzer. His underwater photos have become a hit on Instagram, with some of his followers now planning their own visits to the Gulf of Aqaba to see the wreck. However, Holzer stresses that this adventure may not be for everyone. Because of its depth, he says, divers should be fully qualified professionals. He also recommends making reservations in advance, as the visit requires a boat.
title: “Eerie Abandoned Passenger Plane Sits On The Floor Of The Red Sea " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Bernadette Morton”
The venerable old Lockheed Martin L1011 Tristar plane, with its three wing- and tail-mounted engines, would have been a sight in the air or on the ground, let alone deep below the surface of the Red Sea, among the fish and coral. The derelict aircraft, sunk in 2019 to create an artificial reef to encourage marine life, was photographed by American underwater photographer Brett Holzer in a series of images that capture the eerie sight this watercraft creates. According to Holzer, the jet has now become a haven for wreck explorers and underwater photographers. It was first registered in the 1980s and had services for several airlines, including, according to Planespotters.net, Royal Jordanian, Portugal’s TAP Air and Sweden’s Novair, before, after a final stint with Luzair, another Portuguese carrier, was abandoned in the early 2000s. After being parked and apparently forgotten for years at King Hussein International Airport near the shores of the Red Sea, the plane sank in Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba with the aim of encouraging diving tourism and coral growth, according to Jordan’s Petra News Agency. Holzer says it is at a depth of 15 to 28 meters (50-92 feet), with the tail of the plane at the deepest end. “The cockpit is the shallowest part of the wreck and faces the beach about 13 meters,” Holcher told CNN Arabic.
FLOATING ON A PLANE
Professional divers can enter the wreck through two doors behind the cockpit. Inside the fuselage of the Tristar, the middle row seats have been removed to allow better access for divers, but otherwise the jet is surprisingly well preserved. “Divers can go back to the last two exit doors, which are at a depth of 28 meters,” says Holzer. “Or they can exit through the middle doors, which are about 20 meters deep.” The cockpit, rows of seats on either side, lavatories and galleys are still in place, allowing divers to float around a mostly intact commercial airliner, says the photographer. After three years in the water, the plane’s wings are now home to many soft corals. The hull is surrounded by huge sponges inhabited by a variety of marine life. “It’s not uncommon to find octopuses feeding near coral heads,” says Holzer. The puffer fish can also be seen. The real thrill, he says, is the uniqueness of exploring a passenger plane on the sea floor. “This adventure gives a realistic experience of diving inside a real commercial aircraft,” says Holzer. His underwater photos have become a hit on Instagram, with some of his followers now planning their own visits to the Gulf of Aqaba to see the wreck. However, Holzer stresses that this adventure may not be for everyone. Because of its depth, he says, divers should be fully qualified professionals. He also recommends making reservations in advance, as the visit requires a boat.
