- Photos show the 20-tonne Airlander 10’s canopy completely collapsed
- The 92 metre-long airship cost £100m to get into the air before it crashed in its second UK flight when its mooring lines got tangled with power lines last year
- Its manufacturers Hybrid Air Vehicles had carried out test flights on Friday
The world’s longest aircraft dubbed the ‘Flying Bum’ was seriously damaged on Saturday after it slipped its moorings and crashed into a field.
Pictures have emerged of the 20-tonne Airlander 10’s canopy completely collapsed after the prototype plummeted to the ground.
Its manufacturers Hybrid Air Vehicles had carried out test flights on Friday before police were called to a site close to its hangars in Cardington, Bedfordshire, today.
Pictures have emerged of the 20-tonne Airlander 10’s canopy completely collapsed after the prototype plummeted to the ground
According to The Mirror, a woman was injured in the crash and roads have been closed due to fears of helium gas and fuel leaks.
Pub landlord and councillor Paul Smith said: ‘Sad news for Airship fans, The Airlander has broken free from its mast this morning and has deflated.
‘It’s currently in a field next to the Cardington sheds, the wreckage looks quite bad at the moment but we await confirmation apparently trees ripped the skin open.’
Beds, Cambs & Herts Roads Policing Unit at 10.12am tweeted this pictures of the crash and said: ‘Officers attending collision involving the Airlander.’
Pub landlord and councillor Paul Smith said: ‘Sad news for Airship fans, The Airlander has broken free from its mast this morning and has deflated’
Its manufacturers Hybrid Air Vehicles had carried out test flights on Friday before police were called to a site close to its hangars in Cardington, Beds, today
A spokesman previously said the company hoped the Airlander – which can carry 10 tonnes and up to 60 passengers – will be used for luxury commercial flights over the world’s greatest sights from 2019.
Passers-by spotted the 38,000 cubic-metre prototype preparing for take-off in Cardington Airfield earlier this year.
Hundreds of people gathered around the airfield after a local group of ‘blimp spotters’ also used the weather conditions to predict the test flight.
The 92 metre-long airship cost £100m to get into the air before it crashed in only its second ever UK flight when its mooring lines got tangled with power lines in August 24 last year.
The world’s longest aircraft dubbed the ‘Flying Bum’ was seriously damaged on Saturday after it slipped its moorings and crashed into a field