CNN.com - Blimp crashes in Florida industrial park - Jun 17, 2005

CORAL SPRINGS, Florida (AP) -- A Goodyear blimp crash-landed Thursday night in an industrial park, authorities said. The two people on board were not injured.

The "Stars & Stripes" blimp went down shortly after taking off from Pompano Beach Air Park, where it is based. Both people onboard were trapped briefly while electrical crews cleared the site, authorities said.

The blimp lost most of its helium and was draped across some orange self-storage units in the industrial park. It's nose remained pointed into the air.

Bad weather may have forced the blimp down. There were thunderstorms in the area at the time, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration was investigating.

"It went right over our building and was making really loud noises," said Maryann Clark, general manager of a nearby restaurant.

The blimp is one of three Goodyear blimps based in the United States. Goodyear leases about 32 acres at the air park as a blimp base, according to the park's Web site.