A man watches from a lorry as the Airlander 10 hybrid airship makes its maiden flight at Cardington Airfield in Britain, August 17, 2016. The airship was damaged during a crash landing today during its second test flight. (Darren Staples/Reuters)
The developer of the world’s largest aircraft says the blimp-shaped airship “sustained damage” after it made a bumpy landing on its second test flight in eastern England.
Photos courtesy of Angela Hatwell of the Airlander 10 crash at Cardington airfield in Bedfordshire pic.twitter.com/j87XaDEfqv
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@PA
Hybrid Air Vehicles says it is trying to figure out what caused the rough landing of the 92-metre (302-foot) Airlander 10 during its flight Wednesday in Bedfordshire, north of London.
In a statement on Facebook it said all “crew are safe and well and there are no injuries.”
We’re debriefing following the second test flight this morning. All crew are safe and well and there are no injuries.
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@AirVehicles
Airlander sustained damage on landing during today’s flight. No damage was sustained mid-air or as a result of a telegraph pole as reported.
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@AirVehicles
A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and airplane, the Airlander is able to stay aloft for days at a time. It is designed to use less fuel than a plane, but carry heavier loads than conventional airships.
The aircraft was initially developed for the U.S. military for use in surveillance in Afghanistan.
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