Only one week has past since its inaugural launch, and the world’s largest aircraft, Airlander 10, has crashed. The massive airship, known majestically as the “Flying Bum” thanks to its uncanny resemblance to a colossal, floating human ass, crashed slowly and calmly during its second test flight.
The leisurely crash happened at the airship’s base, Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire. While some outlets were reporting that the crash happened as the result of a line from the airship hitting a telephone pole, but this was denied by Hybrid Air Vehicles, the developer of the Airlander 10.
The cockpit sustained pretty significant structural damage as a result of the crash landing, but nobody was hurt. That doesn’t mean the crash wasn’t harrowing; based on the video of the crash, it appears that the crew only had barely enough time to do some tidying up, check email, and maybe have some tea before bracing for impact.
A spokesperson for HAV described the crash by saying:
“The flight went really well and the only issue was when it landed.”
... which I’m pretty sure is something you can say about most aircraft crashes.
Impressively, based on video, everyone in the crowd watching the slow, slow crash managed to keep themselves from screaming “Oh, the humanity!” which is pretty impressive for people watching a hilariously slow blimp/zeppelin/dirigible crash.
Damage is very repairable, and soon the giant ass will rise again, like a majestic alabaster sky-ass. Once again, we’ll understand just a little bit better how it would feel to be mooned by God himself.