American Blimp ABC-A-60 N760AB

Summary

On 1 July 1998 at about 15:05 local time, a American Blimp ABC-A-60 registered N760AB was involved in an accident near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 1998 at 15:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.0991, -77.4900

Aircraft

American Blimp ABC-A-60

Registration

N760AB

Category

Blimp

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Williamsport → Youngstown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD98LA074

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's encounter with unforecasted downdrafts.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot received a weather briefing in person from the Flight Service Station at the departure airport. The predicted headwinds for the planned airship flight over mountainous terrain were 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. An Airmet issued for the proposed route of flight 45 minutes after takeoff called for occasional moderate turbulence over rough terrain due to strong low-level winds. In cruise flight approximately 500-600 feet above ground level, the airship encountered '...a severe sustained downdraft...' that could not be overcome with full power and full up elevator. The airship subsequently collided with trees. An update to the same Airmet one hour after the accident called for occasional moderate and isolated severe turbulence over rough terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.