Its manufacturer, Hybrid Air Vehicles, had carried out test flights on Friday, but the next day the prototype had malfunctioned.
Roads have been reportedly blocked due to fears of helium gas and fuel leaks. A woman was also injured during the crash that took place close to the aircraft hangars in Cardington, Bedfordshire.
Councilor Paul Smith said, “Sad news for Airship fans, The Airlander has broken free from its mast this morning and has deflated. It's currently in a field next to the Cardington sheds, the wreckage looks quite bad at the moment but we await confirmation apparently trees ripped the skin open,” Daily Mail reported.
Previously it was reported that the company hoped the Airlander would be used for luxury commercial flights over the world's greatest sights from 2019. It can carry up to 60 passengers and 10 tons of cargo.
Earlier this year hundreds of people had gathered to witness the prototype preparing to take off in Cardington Airfield, but the Airlander’s mooring lines got tangled with power lines.
