Faulty Steering Mechanism Caused October Goodyear Blimp Crash.

Nov. 19 -- An inspection of Goodyear's Spirit of Akron blimp, which crashed three weeks ago, shows that a stripped gear in the steering mechanism hampered the pilot's ability to control the ship.

The Federal Aviation Administration, however, has not yet ruled whether that actually caused the blimp to fall from the sky and crash into a clump of trees near the Wingfoot Lake hangar on Oct. 28.

The pilot, Gerald Hissem, told the FAA he struggled to retain control as the blimp descended, according to a preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The report also reveals that a video technician on board heard a "loud grinding noise" in the rear compartment as the blimp drifted out of control. …

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-57644523.html

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Goodyear-Blimp-Crashes-Two-Injured/id-e46516293f4c4e82a319f2cdfc791ccd

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20001212X19973&ntsbno=IAD00LA002&akey=1

Goodyear Blimp Crashes

BSNews.com October 29, 1999

Goodyear's most venerable and oldest blimp had an undignified, bumpy landing Thursday night - atop some trees in Ohio.

The airship Spirit of Akron crashed into the woods a few miles from the company's air dock, slightly injuring both people aboard. Pilot Gerald Hissem, 29, and technician Robert Peacock, 34, suffered minor cuts, Goodyear spokesman Keith Price said. No one on the ground was hurt.
It was unclear why the blimp went down, Price said. State, federal and company officials were investigating.
The 205-foot Spirit of Akron is the oldest of seven blimps promoting the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The $5 million blimp is based about 10 miles southeast of Akron.
Goodyear said the blimp, about 12 years old, passed an inspection the day before the crash, which happened as the crew was making a routine night flight.
The airship was traveling about 25 mph to 40 mph when a problem was discovered, said Scott Baughman, manager of North American airship operations.
Hissem released 150 gallons to 200 gallons of kerosene fuel and put the blimp into a controlled descent. The airship can hold about 430 gallons but was only carrying about 200 on Thursday, Baughman said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/goodyear-blimp-crashes/