The NTSB last week released its factual report on the June 16 crash of a Goodyear blimp in Coral Springs, Fla. The airship was returning to its base in Pompano Beach at 5:25 in the afternoon after about two hours of flying in the Miami Beach area in good weather. The pilot told the NTSB that on approaching the landing area, he saw several lightning bolts hit the ground. Since the landing procedure requires a ground crew, the pilot chose to fly on to the west and wait for the storm to pass rather than endanger the crew. The pilot said the weather deteriorated rapidly, and he encountered heavy rain, lightning and severe downdrafts, and the airship was unable to climb, make headway or maintain directional control even with full power. The ship was pushed down, striking trees and powerlines, and came to rest on the ground in an industrial complex. The envelope was torn, the right propeller was damaged and the lower fin was damaged. The two pilots on board were unhurt. The NTSB’s probable-cause report will not be out for several more months.
Sudden Storm Cited In Airship Crash
Key Takeaways:
- A Goodyear blimp crashed in Coral Springs, Florida, after its pilot diverted from the landing area due to lightning to ensure ground crew safety.
- The airship subsequently encountered rapidly deteriorating weather with heavy rain, lightning, and severe downdrafts, rendering it uncontrollable despite full power.
- The blimp struck trees and powerlines before coming to rest, sustaining damage to its envelope and propeller, but both pilots on board were unhurt.
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