The Airlander 10, also referred to as the flying bum, has crashed.

A combination of a plane and an airship, it’s the world’s largest aircraft and hit the ground “less than 24 hours after a successful test flight,” reports BBC.

But it wasn’t necessarily flying.

According to witnesses, it fractured in two at the airfield in Bedfordshire,UK, after it “broke free from its mooring mast, triggering a safety system which deflates the aircraft”, explained its owner, Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd.

This might give you an indication as to why it’s known as the flying bum:

Two people on the ground suffered minor injuries:

No one was on board, but a female member of staff suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

A colleague also sustained minor injuries while dealing with the incident.

“The safety feature is to ensure our aircraft minimises any potential damage to its surroundings in these circumstances,” Hybrid Air Vehicles added.

“The aircraft is now deflated and secure on the edge of the airfield. The fuel and helium inside the Airlander have been made safe.

Deflated indeed:

What a sorry sight.

[source:bbc]