Mission complete: Airlander 10 successfully lands first flight since nose-dive crash

The world's largest aircraft has successfully taken to the skies from Bedfordshire, since crashing last summer.

The Airlander 10 took to the skies above Cardington Airfield after being out of action for eight months.

Around 20 to 30 flights are expected to be carried out this summer Credit: Hybrid Air Vehicles/Twitter

The Airlander 10 underwent extensive repairs after crash-landing on its second flight in August 2016 after its mooring line got caught on power lines.

The cockpit took the brunt of the impact but no-one was injured.

The Airlander 10 crash landed on its second test flight out of Cardington Airfield Credit: ITV News Anglia

A pair of airbags have since been fitted to allow the aircraft to land at a greater range of angles.

Seven million pounds was spent on repairs, including a new auxiliary landing system to help it land more safely.

The Airlander 10 ready to land Credit: Hybrid Air Vehicles/Twitter

The aircraft, which is the length of a football pitch, safely landed at Cardington at 8.20pm this evening (10 May) after being in the air for nearly three hours.

Chief test pilot Dave Burns said: "It was truly amazing to be back in the air. I loved every minute of the flight and the Airlander itself handled superbly. I am eager to get back into the cockpit and take her flying again."

Manufactors Hybrid Air Vehicles say it could be used for a variety of functions, such as surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel.

The aircraft as it landed Credit: Hybrid Air Vehicles/Twitter