Goodyear Blimp Crash Kills Pilot

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 | by Pat's Picks

A Goodyear blimp crashed in Germany on Sunday, killing the pilot as it burst into blames mid-air. Three passengers, all journalists, were able to jump from the craft and escaped without serious injury. From Goodyear’s hometown, the Akron Beacon Journal says some have compared the crash of the “Spirit of Safety” airship to the Hindenburg disaster back in 1937. But unlike the Hindenburg, the “Spirit of Safety” was filled with helium, not hydrogen.

The pilot, a man named Mike Nerandzic, is being heralded as a hero. According to the Daily Mail, the sudden change in weight after the passengers jumped to safety sent the blimp shooting straight up, making it impossible for Nerandzic to escape.