World's largest aircraft crashes in Bedfordshire

The flight deck of the world's largest aircraft has been repaired following a crash on only its second ever flight.

The Airlander airship, which was built in Bedfordshire, was damaged in August last year and has been out of action ever since.

The flight deck instrument panels, overhead console and wiring have had to be re-installed. Test flights should begin again soon.

• Airlander 10 repaired and will fly again in New Year

The pilot of the Airlander 10 that crashed in Bedfordshire says the cause is still being investigated.

The £25 million aircraft nose-dived as it came to land from its second test flight at Cardington Airfield in August.

The cockpit was damaged by the impact, but the pilot escaped injury.

The Airlander - which is the world's largest aircraft - is being repaired and is expected to fly again early next year.

A rope attached to the world's largest aircraft made contact with a power line before it crashed says its manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV).

Airlander 10, which is part plane, part airship, was damaged after nosediving at Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire.

The crash occurred when the £25 million aircraft, which is the length of a football pitch and the height of six double decker buses, was nearing the end of its second test flight.

The cockpit was damaged by the impact but the pilots escaped injury.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is set to investigate the crash.

The Airlander was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft. HAV launched a campaign to return the Airlander 10 to the sky after it fell foul of defence cutbacks.

The aircraft, so named because it can carry 10 tonnes, is 302ft (92 metres) long, 143ft (44 metres) wide, 85ft (26 metres) high and can travel at 92mph.

It is about 50ft (15 metres) longer than the biggest passenger jets and uses helium to become airborne.

It is hoped it will be used for a variety of functions, such as surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel. An Airlander 50 is planned, which would be able to transport 50 tonnes of freight.

Watch a report on the crash.

Locals who were visiting Cardington today have been reacting to the news of the Airlander 10 crashing this morning.

The 25 million pound aircraft was on its second test flight, but failed to reach home safely.

More: Airlander crash lands during second test flight in Bedfordshire

The developers behind Airlander 10 say they've launched an investigation into why the aircraft crashed as it landed in Bedfordshire.

The cockpit of the aircraft was damaged as it landed at its base in Cardington this morning.

It flew for 100 minutes and completed all the planned tasks before returning to land.

Hybrid Air Vehicles say they will be running though the flight test activities in the next few days and an investigation into the crash is likely to take a couple of months.

Footage by Lee Cordell has emerged of the Airlander 10 as it crashed during its second test flight in Bedfordshire this morning.

The cockpit of the aircraft has been damaged as it landed at its base in Cardington.

More: Airlander crash lands during second test flight in Bedfordshire

The Airlander 10 crashed as it returned to its base at Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire this morning.

The Airlander 10 suffered cockpit damage following its second test flight. No one was injured.

The aircraft only took to the skies for the first time a week ago after months of tests.

The HAV say that all crew are safe and there are currently no injuries to report.