Airlander 10: World's largest aircraft crashes during test flight in Bedfordshire

The world's longest and largest aircraft – Airlander 10 – has crashed during flight testing in Bedfordshire. The helium-filled vessel took a slow-motion nosedive into a nearby field.

The 92-metre long craft, which is looking to revolutionise air travel by carrying heavier payloads than traditional planes, staying in the air for five days while producing far less noise and a smaller carbon footprint, was undertaking its second test flight, but hit a telegraph pole and came to an unfortunate demise.

In a video of the crash taken by a spectator, it shows what could be the world's slowest, least spectacular event as the blimp-like craft comes floating down to the ground like a four-day old balloon. It wasn't breathtaking but was enough to cause damage to the craft.

Its manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) put out a statement confirming the crash and made clear there were no injuries to the crew in the accident. The Airlander 10, also nicknamed 'The Flying Bum' because of its unique design, did suffer damage to the cockpit it was revealed.

"The flight went really well and the only issue was when it landed," a spokesperson for HAV said.

The Airlander 10 made its maiden voyage only a week before this incident on 18 August, where it successfully managed to fly around a lap of the Cardington airfield during a half-hour flight.

The Airlanders, which will cost around £25m (€29.4m) each, are hoping to take to the skies full-time by 2021.