← Return to Favorite Dive Summary
Return to Explore Dive Sites← Back to dive site search
Aircraft WreckShipwreckBoat DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

St. Thomas Mail Plane (DC-3)

Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

A Douglas DC-3C cargo aircraft, registration N782T, that ditched west of Cyril E. King Airport on July 19, 2006 after delivering U.S. mail to St. Thomas. All four people aboard escaped. The aircraft now rests in approximately 100 feet of water and is documented as a recreational dive site.

Save this dive site to your free member profile.

Historic Photograph

Historic photograph of Douglas DC-3C N843 landing, used as a representative image for the St. Thomas Mail Plane wreck.
Representative aircraft image: Douglas DC-3C N843, the same aircraft variant as the St. Thomas Mail Plane N782T. This photograph does not depict the St. Thomas wreck aircraft.Douglas DC-3C N843 landing at Concord, California, in 1946; photograph by Bill Larkins; via Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY-SA 2.0Source ↗
WaterMarine
AccessBoat dive; use a qualified local operator and confirm current access, mooring and conditions.
ExperienceAdvanced recreational; deep-diving training and appropriate gas planning recommended. Penetration requires specific wreck training and equipment.
Maximum depthApproximately 100 ft / 30 m
Best seasonPotentially year-round when marine weather, visibility and operator availability permit.
VisibilityVariable Caribbean offshore visibility; obtain a same-day local report.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Historic mail-carrying Douglas DC-3C aircraft wreck, registration N782T, also known as the Gooney Bird and the St. Thomas Mail Plane.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Located offshore west of Cyril E. King Airport. No navigation coordinates are published by NBM; arrange access through a qualified local operator.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Depth, limited no-decompression time, current, boat traffic, entanglement, sharp or unstable aircraft structure, overhead hazards and possible reduced visibility. Do not enter the wreck without appropriate training.

At the site

Facilities and support

No on-site facilities; boat access required.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.