Airlander breaks up at mooring.
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Airlander breaks up at mooring.
Airlander 10 'breaks in two' and collapses at Cardington
Airlander 10 'breaks in two' and collapses at Cardington - BBC News
Airlander 10 'breaks in two' and collapses at Cardington - BBC News
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Probably the best solution.
I don't think that it was 'going anywhere'.
Insurance?
I believe that the project was due to vacate the Cardington premises.
I don't think that it was 'going anywhere'.
Insurance?
I believe that the project was due to vacate the Cardington premises.
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from HybridAirVehicles facebook page:
Today there was an incident with the Airlander aircraft at Cardington airfield. The aircraft was not flying at the time of the incident. Our initial assessment is that the aircraft broke free from its mooring mast for reasons that will be investigated. The aircraft has a safety system which operates automatically in circumstances of the aircraft breaking free of its mast, and is designed to rip open the hull and deflate the aircraft. This is a safety feature to ensure our aircraft minimises any potential damage to its surroundings in these circumstances. The aircraft is now deflated and secure on the edge of the airfield. The fuel and helium inside the Airlander have been made safe.
Company statement:
Today there was an incident with the Airlander aircraft at Cardington airfield. The aircraft was not flying at the time of the incident. Our initial assessment is that the aircraft broke free from its mooring mast for reasons that will be investigated. The aircraft has a safety system which operates automatically in circumstances of the aircraft breaking free of its mast, and is designed to rip open the hull and deflate the aircraft. This is a safety feature to ensure our aircraft minimises any potential damage to its surroundings in these circumstances. The aircraft is now deflated and secure on the edge of the airfield. The fuel and helium inside the Airlander have been made safe.
A member of HAV staff sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for assessment as a precaution. She has since been discharged. A separate member of staff also sustained minor injuries while dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
A number of local roads and a local footpath were temporarily closed off by Bedfordshire Police and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused local residents.
We are testing a brand new type of aircraft and incidents of this nature can occur during this phase of development. We will assess the cause of the incident and the extent of repairs needed to the aircraft in the next few weeks.
Today there was an incident with the Airlander aircraft at Cardington airfield. The aircraft was not flying at the time of the incident. Our initial assessment is that the aircraft broke free from its mooring mast for reasons that will be investigated. The aircraft has a safety system which operates automatically in circumstances of the aircraft breaking free of its mast, and is designed to rip open the hull and deflate the aircraft. This is a safety feature to ensure our aircraft minimises any potential damage to its surroundings in these circumstances. The aircraft is now deflated and secure on the edge of the airfield. The fuel and helium inside the Airlander have been made safe.
A member of HAV staff sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for assessment as a precaution. She has since been discharged. A separate member of staff also sustained minor injuries while dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
A number of local roads and a local footpath were temporarily closed off by Bedfordshire Police and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused local residents.
We are testing a brand new type of aircraft and incidents of this nature can occur during this phase of development. We will assess the cause of the incident and the extent of repairs needed to the aircraft in the next few weeks.
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The aircraft has a safety system which operates automatically in circumstances of the aircraft breaking free of its mast, and is designed to rip open the hull and deflate the aircraft. This is a safety feature to ensure our aircraft minimises any potential damage to its surroundings in these circumstances. The aircraft is now deflated and secure on the edge of the airfield. The fuel and helium inside the Airlander have been made safe.
Potential Customers will no doubt be pleased to see it ready to go again within the hour
Potential Customers will no doubt be pleased to see it ready to go again within the hour
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I saw it collapsed as I drove along the A600 this morning, I must confess that I wasn't overly surprised.
Test flights = 6
Crashes = 1
Collapses = 1
Doesn't have the smell of success does it?
Test flights = 6
Crashes = 1
Collapses = 1
Doesn't have the smell of success does it?
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I doubt the damage is as bad as it looks. If the statement from Airlander is correct (big if I know) then this was a controlled, pyrotechnically activited deflation system that automatically activated upon the aircraft becoming loose from its moornings, tearing the fabric hull in specific places to ensure immediate deflation.
I would assume that this safety system was designed to minimise or eliminate structural damage to the aircraft, and doubt very much that it "split into two" as reported by news media.
If the safety system has worked as designed, then I would expect the straight forward fabric repairs required to be completed in a few weeks at minimal cost.
She should be flying again soon.
I would assume that this safety system was designed to minimise or eliminate structural damage to the aircraft, and doubt very much that it "split into two" as reported by news media.
If the safety system has worked as designed, then I would expect the straight forward fabric repairs required to be completed in a few weeks at minimal cost.
She should be flying again soon.
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It would be interesting to learn just what are the initiators for an emergency deflation.
Initial reports suggested that it had collided with a tree.
As far as 'making safe' the helium - how do you get it back into the 'storage' tanks?
In the 1970s when the Goodyear airship Europa was built and based at Cardington:-
Initial reports suggested that it had collided with a tree.
As far as 'making safe' the helium - how do you get it back into the 'storage' tanks?
In the 1970s when the Goodyear airship Europa was built and based at Cardington:-
The parts for Europa were assembled in shed number 2, and the completed ship was first moved out of the shed on 8th March 1972 when the first flight was made.
Unfortunately, the successful first flight was marred shortly afterwards when on the 19th April, the ship tore away from it's mast, and the envelope deflated.
The ship and envelope came to rest in a tree in the grounds of a Cotton End house.
Unfortunately, the successful first flight was marred shortly afterwards when on the 19th April, the ship tore away from it's mast, and the envelope deflated.
The ship and envelope came to rest in a tree in the grounds of a Cotton End house.
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Surely the weather conditions over the last 24 hours have been extremely benign for the time of year. That doesn't inspire confidence in the mooring system or the Airlander 10. What if the deflation system deployed at altitude?