Helgoland Island air disaster

Helgoland Island air disaster
Accident
Date September 9, 1913
Summary Weather
Site North Sea, off Heligoland
Aircraft
Aircraft type Airship
Aircraft name LZ14 (manufacturer's designation)
Operator Imperial German Navy
Registration L 1 (military designation)
Crew 20
Fatalities 14
Survivors 6

The Helgoland Island air disaster occurred on 9 September 1913 after the airship Zeppelin LZ 14 had been transferred to the Imperial German Navy on 7 October 1912. As the first airship owned by the Navy, it was given the serial number L-1. Ordered to participate in manoeuvers, it departed the mainland in bad weather. With 20 people on board, L-1 flew into a gale, and, while 18 miles from its destination, the cold rain caused its gas to contract, causing it to settle 32 km; 17 nmi (20 mi) north of Heligoland into the North Sea, breaking in two. The control car sank, drowning 13 of its occupants. Seven were rescued by motor torpedo boats.[1][2]

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