The plane was returning from a photo-reconnaissance mission in Germany when it flew into the cloud-covered high ground of Bleaklow.
The aircraft 'Overexposed' had previously been used for atomic bomb testing operations in the Pacific.
The crash site is considered a war grave, and visitors are legally protected from removing any pieces of debris under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
The location is often referred to locally as the 'Bleaklow Bomber' crash site.
The wreckage is spread across a wide area due to the impact and subsequent post-crash fire.
Because the site is located on a peat bog, the debris is prone to being slowly reclaimed by the landscape over time.
The B29 Overexposed crash site is located on the high moorland of Bleaklow in the Peak District. The wreckage belongs to a United States Army Air Force B-29 Superfortress named 'Overexposed', which crashed on November 3, 1948, during a flight from Scampton to Burtonwood. All 13 crew members on board perished in the incident. The site sits at an elevation of approximately 600 meters, leaving significant portions of the fuselage, wings, and landing gear scattered across the peat bog. The wreckage remains largely in its original location as a memorial and informal grave. Visitors encounter a desolate, exposed landscape typical of the Dark Peak gritstone plateaus. The site is reached via long-distance moorland walking routes rather than maintained visitor trails.
The main fuselage section, which offers the most intact view of the aircraft's structure.
Bring a physical map and compass, as mobile GPS signals are unreliable and cloud cover can obscure all visible landmarks on the plateau.
Wear waterproof, high-ankle hiking boots, as the terrain consists of saturated peat, bogs, and uneven gritstone.
Avoid visiting during periods of low visibility or inclement weather, as the moorland is disorienting and prone to rapid changes.
Attempting the hike without adequate navigation skills; relying solely on smartphone maps.
Do not touch, remove, or rearrange any parts of the aircraft wreckage out of respect for the deceased crew.
