# NTSB MKC85LA103: Airship Industries Skyship, Columbus, KS, May 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, KS
- Coordinates: 37.160564, -94.840347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1606&lon=-94.8403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA103

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight control,elevator - disabled (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - overload (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer
  - balloon equipment,envelope - penetrated (cause)
  - balloon equipment,envelope - output low (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: GSKSB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIRSHIP INDUSTRIES SKYSHIP
- Category: Blimp
- Serial number: 500-04
- Airframe hours: 1326
- Engines: PORSCHE 930 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airship Industries USA Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1984, 26 hours before
- Departed: 1H6, TULSA, OK
- Destination: IXD, OLATHE, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,645 total, 207 in this make and model, 2,260 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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