Goodyear GZ-20-A N3A

Summary

On 2 October 1998 at about 18:00 local time, a Goodyear GZ-20-A registered N3A was involved in an accident near Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. 5 people were on board. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 October 1998 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Goodyear GZ-20-A

Registration

N3A

Category

Blimp

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Teterboro → Bedford

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA013

Injuries not recorded.

The separation of the pull-in-line. A factor in the accident was the gusting winds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After arriving at the airport, the pilot landed and waited for the ground crew to arrive and assemble the mooring mast. Once the mast was assembled, the ground crew took over and the pilot assisted with thrust to move the airship upwind to the mooring mast. The conditions at the time of the accident were challenging, but not uncommon for airship operations. The injured ground handler was moving from one recovery position to another trying to provide assistance where needed most. Once the pull-in-line was set, the injured ground handler went to assist. While using his 200 pound body to help pull the airship to the mooring mast the pull-in-line broke, and the ground handler fell from a standing position, injuring his back. The winds at the airport were reported to be from 280 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 24.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.