Piper PA-23 (N4339P) sits in what appears to be a makeshift skatepark. Detroit, Sept. 1, 2020, Detroit has gained a reputation as dumping grounds for automobiles and other trash in recent years. (Photo/ALEX BRIZ) — Piper PA-23 (N4339P) sits in what appears to be a makeshift skatepark. Detroit, Sept. 1, 2020, Detroit has gained a reputation as dumping grounds for automobiles and other trash in recent years. (Photo/Alex Brisbey)

Take a drive through any Detroit suburb and you will be sure to see your fair share of trash that has been dumped, an automobile that has been abandoned, but a plane? This is truly something even by Detroit standards, that you won’t see every day. Located just blocks away from the Wayne State University and College For Creative Studies Campuses, this plane now sits in what appears to be a makeshift skatepark. I originally found out about this plane through reddit, the plane used to sit roughly 800 feet up the road at the corner of the intersection. With its location in correlation to the nearby art parks and campuses, I wondered if this plane was purposely placed as an art installation or was just dumped by its owner.

Cockpit of the Piper PA-23 “Apache” (Photo/ALEX BRIZ) — Cockpit of the Piper PA-23 “Apache” (Photo/Alex Brisbey)

Piper PA-23 (N4339P)

Produced from 1952 to 1981, the Piper PA-23 was the first twin-engine piper aircraft. It was originally designed by The Stinson Aircraft Company in the 1950’s but was manufactured by Piper as the Apache and later as the more powerful Aztec. The aircraft was aimed at the general aviation market but was also used by the United States navy and other countries militaries in small numbers. This abandoned PA-23 found in Detroit is the Apache 160 model, which in its prime had 180hp and could reach speeds of 150mph. According to its FAA registration it was made airworthy on May 27th 1964.

Investigating further I found the “N” number (registration number in the United States) N4339P. This plane was owned by Carson William L of Saint Claire Shores, Michigan. This plane was registered with the FAA on November 25th 2019, and not even a year later it sits rotting on a side street in Detroit.

This abandoned plane was registered with the FAA on November 25th 2019, and not even a year later it sits rotting on a side street in Detroit. (Photo/ALEX BRIZ) — This abandoned plane was registered with the FAA on November 25th 2019, and not even a year later it sits rotting on a side street in Detroit. (Photo/Alex Brisbey)

Whether it was dumped or purposely placed as an art installation this plane has become yet another thing that is uniquely, Detroit. I plan to continue to adventure around the suburbs of Detroit, looking for interesting buildings, abandoned vehicles and what not. I however, do not think an abandoned plane on a side street will be an easy find to top.