Primary finding
Probable cause
Loss of airship control during tie down, due to gusty wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, he and his crew member were preparing to secure the blimp after landing. The crew member exited the blimp and attempted to tie it down. The winds were gusting, and the crew member needed extra assistance in securing the blimp. As onlookers came to aid the crew members, a gust of wind blew the blimp into nearby trees.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 21, 2002, at 1745 eastern daylight time, an American Blimp Corporation A-60 blimp, N660VL, registered to and operated by Lightship Group, collided with trees during an attempted tie down at Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta, Georgia. The positioning flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The airship sustained minor damage and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Orlando Executive Airport, Florida, at 0954. According to the pilot, he and his crew member were preparing to secure the blimp after landing. The crew member exited the blimp to attempt to tie it down. The winds were gusting, and the crew member needed extra assistance in securing the blimp. As onlookers came to aid the crew members, a gust of wind blew the blimp into nearby trees. Examination of the blimp revealed the envelope was torn during the removal from the trees. The gondola had a fabric tear on the underside. The fins had fabric tears and recovery damage.