Accident Goodyear-Zeppelin U.S.S. Macon ZRS-5,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 54573
 
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Date:Tuesday 12 February 1935
Time:
Type:Goodyear-Zeppelin U.S.S. Macon
Owner/operator:United States Navy (USN)
Registration: ZRS-5
MSN:
Fatalities:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 76
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Location:off Point Sur, California -   United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature:Military
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative:
Ran into a storm off Point Sur, California. During the storm, she was caught in a wind shear which caused structural failure of the unstrengthened ring (17.5) to which the upper tailfin was attached. The fin failed to the side and carried away. Pieces of structure punctured the rear gas cells and caused gas leakage. Acting rapidly and on fragmentary information an immediate and massive discharge of ballast was ordered. Control was lost and, tail heavy and with engines running full speed ahead, the Macon rose past the pressure height and kept going until enough helium was vented to cancel the lift. It took her 20 minutes to descend from 4,850 ft and, settling gently into the sea, Macon sank off the California coast.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Macon_(ZRS-5)

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
22-Dec-2008 11:28 harro Added
20-Mar-2022 05:58 Ron Averes Updated [Operator]
10-Apr-2024 11:02 Nepa Updated [Location, Operator]

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

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