LONDON -- A huge airship being developed by British company Hybrid Air Vehicles crashed Wednesday as it attempted to land at the end of its second test flight in the UK.
The cockpit was damaged but there were no injuries to the crew after the 92m long Airlander 10 vehicle crashed at HAV's base at Cardington, southern England.
The vehicle, part airship,part aircraft, was landing after a 100 minute test flight Aug 24.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this point, but the airship was pictured nose down with part of the cockpit shattered after the incident.
"The Airlander experienced a heavy landing and the front of the flight deck has sustained some damage which is being assessed," said HAV in a statement.
The airship had its maiden flight in the UK Aug 18. An earlier version has previously flown in the USA.
The Airlander is capable of flying for up to five days manned and double that when unmanned and flown remotely.
HAV reckons the airship could be used in surveillance , communications, cargo and passenger roles and has been partnering with Italian aerospace company Leonardo investigating potential military applications.
An earlier version of the airship was selected to be the platform for the. US Army' Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle program. The Northrop Grumman led program was later cancelled.
The airship was later sold back to HAV by the Pentagon and modified to become the Airlander 10.
Andrew Chuter is the United Kingdom correspondent for Defense News.
