Goodyear blimp down in Germany

[Gary F]

One of the Goodyear blimps caught fire and crashed in Germany over the weekend. The passengers survived but the pilot did not.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...year-blimp-plunges-ground-flames-Germany.html

 

[ScottM]

Caught fire? Were they using H2?

 

[Gary F]

I think it started as an engine fire.

 

[vontresc]

Read a report that they landed hard. As gary says it seems to have been an engine fire. The report I read said that the three pax jumped out, and that the change in weight made the blimp baloon. Bad way to go.

 

[Doggtyred]

Caught fire? Were they using H2?

Avgas... The fire started in/near the engines/gondola.

Pilot appears to have sacrificed himself.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Uggh, those pictures are awful. How sad.

 

[weilke]

How awful.

No justice in life. The tabloid reporters survive, the pilot doesn't.

 

[RichardSATX]

The pilot is a hero.

 

[DavidWhite]

Pilot gave his life so others may live. RIP

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Does the blimp have a 'dump valve' where he can jettison all of the helium at once?

In an emergency like this, being able to ensure it stays on the ground once it gets there and people start bailing off would be a good thing.

 

[CJones]

The report I read said that the three pax jumped out, and that the change in weight made the blimp baloon. Bad way to go.

That's messed up. You're 'crashing', but you're going UP to do it...

 

[ScottM]

Does the blimp have a 'dump valve' where he can jettison all of the helium at once?

Yes

http://www.goodyearblimp.com/basics/anatomy.html

The Helium valve can be opened manually to dump the gas.

 

[rottydaddy]

Some video here... starts with the gondola engulfed with flames.

Looks like he had just enough time to get the pax out... probably overcome by smoke before he could even try to vent. Or maybe he wanted to make sure it didn't come down on top of the pax after they bailed. A very bad deal, but he stayed in command; well done.

http://www.insideline.com/car-news/goodyear-blimp-catches-fire-crashes-in-germany.html

 

[ajstoner21]

I just read this on CNN's website. What a horrible way to go, but glad the passengers made it off OK.

 

[denverpilot]

There goes another 50 years of blimp/dirigible travel to fear...

Too many in-flight fires today.

 

[gprellwitz]

Too many in-flight fires today.

Totally agree! OTOH, 1 fatality among 11 souls aboard (B-17 and blimp) isn't anywhere near as bad as it could easily have been. Just fervently wish it was 0 fatalities.

 

[flyersfan31]

Oh, the humanity.