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2001: Runaway blimp caught on sailboat mast

2001: Runaway blimp caught on sailboat mast

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.