A PenFed credit union commercial purpose blimp crashed near US Open in the field about half a mile from the Erin Hills golf course, Wisconsin around 11:15 am on Thursday, near Highways 83 and 167. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the pilot of the Blimp received injuries in the crash and was taken to the Froedtert Hospital. The doctors identified him as Trevor Thompson and said about his serious condition.

At a news conference, the officials from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) said Thompson talked with the officers stable and coherently.

It was also confirmed by a spokesperson of an aerial advertising firm based in Florida that the blimp belonged to them.

According to Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Gold Association, only the pilot was on the board and no one else. The Sheriff's Office also added that they came to know about the crash when one of the deputies reported the smoke coming out of the blimp and then they took rapid actions to hold the situation.

According to the officials

It was reported by the Sheriff's Office that the Blimp had been in contact with FAA officials throughout its flying.

It was also confirmed by the FAA officials that Thompson was lawfully flying the blimp at proper altitude and reached an altitude of one thousand feet. When he found the blowing of high winds then decided to land but panels rip off the air balloon while descending.

Still, the cause of the blimp crash is unknown but it happened shortly he turned off the engines and exploded once the aircraft hit the ground, said by an AirSign spokesperson.

According to the witnesses

Patrick Walsh, CEO of AirSign said that the blimp's pilot did not jump out of the airship and stayed in there until it crashed.

He was pulled away by the crew chief from the wreckage before the fuel tanks exploded.

The incident became known from the spectators and participants of the tournament, who began to publish photos and video of the fall in social networks. CBS reported that the airship hired a credit company to advertise its services.

One of the witnesses, Tim Guetzke with his 16-year-old son Hunter, a student at the Hartford Union School, were present at the crash site and watched the incident. Tim said one side of the Blimp started deflating and it caught fire as it hit the ground.
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