Residents in Brazilian municipality of Osasco were in for a surprise after a blimp conducting a test flight crashed in their neighborhood.
The blimp which was rented by Brazilian football team (soccer for our American readers) São Paulo Futebol Clube, took to the skies on Wednesday October 25, flying from the neighboring state of Carapicuíba. Both sides of the airship were painted in promotional material, with team badges and chants on each side saying “Torcida que conduz” and “Vamos São Paulo”.
Unfortunately, the blimp fell out of the sky and crashed into the neighborhood just after midday. Once the helium-filled envelope was punctured, it quickly deflated, covering a number of homes, while the gondola ended up in the middle of the street.
The falling blimp quickly grabbed the attention of locals nearby, with curious onlookers gathering around the “crash” site.
The football club issued a statement confirming that the blimp was rented for promotional purposes, and was taking part in a test flight. The airship was set to fly over the Morumbi Stadium later that day for the match against Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas.
They also reported the pilot suffered minor injuries, and was taken to hospital for further treatment. Luckily no one on the ground was hurt.
An investigation has since been opened to determine the cause of the crash.
Like the blimp, São Paulo FC’s chances of moving onto the semifinals in the Copa Libertadores were also deflated after the team lost to Botafogo on penalties.
