World’s Largest Aircraft Damaged on Second Test Flight

This is a Aug. 17, 2016 file photo of the Airlander 10, during its maiden flight at Cardington airfield England , The Airlander 10 crashed during its second test flight in Wednesday Aug. 24, 2016, but manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles said no-one was injured. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP)

LONDON---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 Airlander 10, is examined as it sits on the ground after a rough landing at Cardington airfield England following its second test flight on Wednesday Aug. 24, 2016.  (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

(Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

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

The Telegraph newspaper reported that the aircraft crashed into a telephone pole on the test flight.

It was damaged at its base.

“We’re debriefing following the second test flight this morning. All crew are safe and well and there are no injuries,” Hybrid Air Vehicles said in a statement.

Epoch Times contributed to this report.