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19 March 2024

World's largest aircraft crash lands

The Airlander 10 hybrid airship prepares to land after its maiden flight at Cardington Airfield near Bedford on August 17, 2016. (AFP)

Published
By AP

The developer of the world's largest aircraft says the blimp-shaped airship "sustained damage" after it made a bumpy landing on its second test flight in eastern England.

Hybrid Air Vehicles says it is trying to figure out what caused the rough landing of the 302-foot (92-meter) Airlander 10 during its flight Wednesday in Bedfordshire, north of London.

In a statement on Facebook it said all "crew are safe and well and there are no injuries."

A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and airplane, the Airlander is able to stay aloft for days at a time. It is designed to use less fuel than a plane, but carry heavier loads than conventional airships.

The aircraft was initially developed for the U.S. military for use in surveillance in Afghanistan.