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By Anthony Cuthbertson
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The world's largest aircraft has crash-landed on only its second test flight, causing damage to the cockpit.
The 302ft-long Airlander 10 came into difficulty Wednesday after reportedly hitting a telegraph pole. A video has since appeared showing the aircraft crashing into a field, causing damage to the cockpit.
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According to a spokesperson for Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), the aircraft's developer, the crew is "safe and well."
The spokesperson said: "The flight went really well and the only issue was when it landed."
According to a witness, a line hanging down from the Airlander 10 got caught on a pole leading up to the landing. HAV has denied this claim but gave no further details of the crash.
Airlander 10 was originally developed by the U.S. military as a surveillance craft but defense cutbacks meant the government decided to sell it. After acquiring it at a fraction of the cost, HAV converted it for commercial use, allowing it to take passengers and cargo.
The futuristic aircraft is as long as a football pitch and as tall as six double-decker buses. Its unusual shape has led it to be dubbed "The Flying Bum."
HAV claims the Airlander 10 can stay airborne for up to five days without needing to be refuelled, at a cruising speed of just under 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour. This endurance, combined with its ability to land on both water and land, means it has the potential to "revolutionize transport."
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