(FILES) This file photo taken on August 17,
2016 shows the Hybrid Air Vehicles HAV 304
Airlander 10 hybrid airship in the air over a
road on its maiden flight from Cardington
Airfield near Bedford, north of London.
The world’s largest aircraft suffered cockpit
damage on Wednesday after nosediving while
landing on its second test-flight, but there
were no injuries, according to the craft’s
manufacturer. / AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS
The world’s largest aircraft suffered cockpit
damage on Wednesday after nosediving
while landing on its second test flight, but
there were no injuries, according to the
craft’s manufacturer.
The 92-metre-long Airlander 10, part
helicopter and part airship, came down at
Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire, south
east England.
“Airlander sustained damage on landing
during today’s flight,” said Hybrid Air
Vehicles (HAV). “All crew are safe and well
and there are no injuries.”
Amateur footage of the landing showed the
craft suddenly pitching forward and landing
on its cockpit, which was visibly damaged.
An eyewitness quoted by the BBC said that a
line hanging down from the plane “hit the
telegraph pole about two fields away,” but
Hybrid Air Vehicles later said that “no
damage was sustained mid-air or as a result
of a telegraph pole as reported.”
The aircraft was initially developed by the US
government as a surveillance vehicle, but
production was shelved as part of
government cutbacks.
HAV launched a campaign to get the aircraft
in the skies, and the Airlander 10 made its
first test flight from the airfield on August 17
following a £25 million ($33 million, 29.4
million euros) overhaul.
HAV hopes to have the craft in production by
2021, saying that it could be used for
surveillance, communications and potentially
passenger travel.
Amateur footage of the landing showed the
craft suddenly pitching forward and landing
on its cockpit, which was visibly damaged.
An eyewitness quoted by the BBC said that a
line hanging down from the plane “hit the
telegraph pole about two fields away,” but
Hybrid Air Vehicles later said that “no
damage was sustained mid-air or as a result
of a telegraph pole as reported.”
The aircraft was initially developed by the US
government as a surveillance vehicle, but
production was shelved as part of
government cutbacks.
HAV launched a campaign to get the aircraft
in the skies, and the Airlander 10 made its
first test flight from the airfield on August 17
following a £25 million ($33 million, 29.4
million euros) overhaul.
HAV hopes to have the craft in production by
2021, saying that it could be used for
surveillance, communications and potentially
passenger travel.