Centaurus
14th Jun 2011, 10:04
German authorities investigate fatal blimp crash
By MELISSA EDDY, Associated Press – 5 hours ago
BERLIN (AP) — The pilot of a Goodyear blimp screamed "I crashed the airship" before it burst into flames, a passenger who leapt to safety says.
Photographer Joachim Storch told media that the blimp — The Spirit of Safety — missed its designated landing spot at Reichelsheim airfield in central Germany on Sunday evening, causing its engine to slam into the ground.
The pilot yelled "We had an accident!" followed by "I crashed the airship!" as the smell of fire crept through the blimp, Storch told the DAPD news agency on Monday.
Storch and two other passengers, a man and woman from a TV crew, leapt 7 feet (2 meters) to safety.
The sudden loss of weight caused the ship to shoot into the air, where it burst into flames, killing the pilot who remained in the cabin.
Germany's aviation investigator said Tuesday it will need weeks to complete an investigation into the cause of the crash.
"We are conducting interviews with witnesses, gathering evidence from the site and analyzing images of the accident," said Klaus Himmler, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation. "We are conducting a widespread investigation."
The bureau's findings are not expected to be reported for another four to eight weeks, he added.
A tragic accident indeed. The German accident investigation spokesman said the Investigations Findings are not expected to be reported for another four to eight weeks.
Without knowing the facts, it still makes you wonder why some ATSB investigations can take as long as two years. In fact the recent Tiger Airways A320 low flight near Epping NDB as the aircraft prepared to approach for ML 27 ILS was a minor incident - yet the ATSB spokesman was quick to tell reporters the investigation could take up to one year!
Vive la difference...
By MELISSA EDDY, Associated Press – 5 hours ago
BERLIN (AP) — The pilot of a Goodyear blimp screamed "I crashed the airship" before it burst into flames, a passenger who leapt to safety says.
Photographer Joachim Storch told media that the blimp — The Spirit of Safety — missed its designated landing spot at Reichelsheim airfield in central Germany on Sunday evening, causing its engine to slam into the ground.
The pilot yelled "We had an accident!" followed by "I crashed the airship!" as the smell of fire crept through the blimp, Storch told the DAPD news agency on Monday.
Storch and two other passengers, a man and woman from a TV crew, leapt 7 feet (2 meters) to safety.
The sudden loss of weight caused the ship to shoot into the air, where it burst into flames, killing the pilot who remained in the cabin.
Germany's aviation investigator said Tuesday it will need weeks to complete an investigation into the cause of the crash.
"We are conducting interviews with witnesses, gathering evidence from the site and analyzing images of the accident," said Klaus Himmler, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation. "We are conducting a widespread investigation."
The bureau's findings are not expected to be reported for another four to eight weeks, he added.
A tragic accident indeed. The German accident investigation spokesman said the Investigations Findings are not expected to be reported for another four to eight weeks.
Without knowing the facts, it still makes you wonder why some ATSB investigations can take as long as two years. In fact the recent Tiger Airways A320 low flight near Epping NDB as the aircraft prepared to approach for ML 27 ILS was a minor incident - yet the ATSB spokesman was quick to tell reporters the investigation could take up to one year!
Vive la difference...