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Caruthers, California: Fighter Plane Crash Gas Station

A WWII fighter plane is buried nose down in the circular roof above the gas pump island.

Address:
12945 S Elm Ave., Caruthers, CA
Directions:
Highway 41, 8 miles south of Fresno, west on Mountain View about 800 feet, right on S Elm Ave. to Quick Stop Minimart.
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Caruthers Mini-Mart with Airplane

The airplane is a Vultee trainer from World War II. It was purchased as surplus by a local crop duster many years ago, who used the engine to update one of his Stearman spray planes. He had no use for the rest, so he sold it to the store owner at the time. The rest is history.

[D. Childress, 04/25/2022]

Crashed plane.

Fighter Plane Crash Gas Station

Right off the highway, so it's a great little quick stop on your way to Fresno. The plane looks pretty crazy! Everything around it is run down. Worth going if you were wanting to get some water anyway.

[CS, 03/23/2013]

Plane on the gas pump island.

Fighter Plane Gas Station

When I was a young lad, my great-uncle and aunt lived in Caruthers. What is now Elm Ave was Highway 41 then. The gas station was how we knew where the turnoff was. These days, it's just west of the new 41.

[Jack Cornelison, 10/09/2009]

Plane crash gas.

Fighter Plane Crash Gas Station

Just south of Fresno, is the Quick Stop Minimart (which used to be called the AirGas in the '50s). Atop the center pump island is a WWII era fighter plane nose down. Now since bypassed by the new highway, it stands as an odd reminder of just how far businesses will go to capture tourist dollars...

[Moosehunter, 02/25/2001]
Crashup Gas Station

A restaurant on hwy 41, south of Fresno, with an old two seat prop plan plowed straight down into the roof over the gas pump island.

[Bernie Riecker, 01/29/1998]

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