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NTSB Report
May 17, 1985 · Airship Industries Skyship · GSKSB
Columbus, KS
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Columbus, KS
Aircraft
Airship Industries Skyship
Tail Number
GSKSB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC85LA103
IN CRUISE FLT NEARING COLUMBUS, KANSAS THE PLT AT THE CONTROLS OF THE AIRSHIP EXPERIENCED A PITCHING UP OF THE AIRSHIP'S NOSE. THE ELEVATOR CONTROL DID NOT RESPOND TO THE PLT INPUT TO COUNTER THE NOSE UP PITCH. ALSO NOTED WAS A LOSS OF PRESSURE FROM THE REAR HELIUM FILLED ENVELOPE. THE AIRSHIP DESCENDED WITHOUT CONTROL UNTIL STRIKING TRESS WHICH STOPPED IT. EXAMINATION OF THE ELEVATOR SHOWED THE FAILURE OF THE LEADING EDGE SPAR WITH MOVEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE SPAR PENETRATING THE REAR ENVELOPE.
Full Narrative
IN CRUISE FLT NEARING COLUMBUS, KANSAS THE PLT AT THE CONTROLS OF THE AIRSHIP EXPERIENCED A PITCHING UP OF THE AIRSHIP'S NOSE. THE ELEVATOR CONTROL DID NOT RESPOND TO THE PLT INPUT TO COUNTER THE NOSE UP PITCH. ALSO NOTED WAS A LOSS OF PRESSURE FROM THE REAR HELIUM FILLED ENVELOPE. THE AIRSHIP DESCENDED WITHOUT CONTROL UNTIL STRIKING TRESS WHICH STOPPED IT. EXAMINATION OF THE ELEVATOR SHOWED THE FAILURE OF THE LEADING EDGE SPAR WITH MOVEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE SPAR PENETRATING THE REAR ENVELOPE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAirship Industries Skyship
Tail NumberGSKSB
Aircraft CategoryBlim
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPorsche · 930 · Reciprocating
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO