2001: Runaway blimp caught on sailboat mast
July 2, 2015
A blimp set to land at Oakland Airport took an unscheduled detour Jan. 9, 2001 after its pilot and a student aboard were forced to jump from the aircraft after losing control. The blimp landed on the mast of a sailboat moored in Central Basin Marina.
The story published in the Jan. 6-Feb. 8, 2001 edition of the paper stated the blimp floated unmanned for 5 miles until it came to rest on the sailboat’s mast. The blip reportedly soared 1,600 feet prior to its crash.
The blimp bore advertising for Spalding and the XFL.
