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The world's longest aircraft has collapsed to the ground less than 24 hours after a successful test flight. The Airlander 10 - a combination of a plane and an airship - was seen to "break in two" at an airfield in Bedfordshire, an eyewitness said. "it appeared the Airlander broke free from its mooring mast, triggering a safety system which deflates the aircraft." Two people on the ground suffered minor injuries.

The world's longest aircraft - the Airlander 10 - has been damaged after nosediving on landing during its second test flight. The 302ft (92m) long aircraft - which is part plane and part airship - was damaged during the flight from Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire.

LONDON (AP) — A blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship considered the world's largest aircraft flew for the first time Wednesday with a short but historic jaunt over an airfield in central England. Engines roaring, the 302-foot (92-meter) Airlander 10 rose slowly into the air from Cardington airfield, 45 miles (73 kilometers) north of London. A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and airplane, it can stay aloft for days at a time and has been nicknamed the "flying bum" because of its bulbous front end.

The Airlander 10 - which is part plane and part airship - took off from Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire. Its original test flight on Sunday was postponed, but it finally left the ground at 19:40 BST. The £25m aircraft measures 302ft (92m) long and is about 50ft (15m) longer than the biggest passenger jets. ... Christened the Martha Gwyn, the aircraft was first developed for the US government as a surveillance aircraft but the project was shelved amid defence cutbacks. ... The huge aircraft will be able to stay airborne for around five days during manned flights. HAV claims it...