Reported Losing Rudder Control

A familiar sight in the skies over Boston's Fenway Park, the Hood-dairy blimp became stuck in the woods near Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA Tuesday after its pilot, the sole person onboard, reported rudder failure during a routine flight.

Witnesses told Providence, RI television station WHDH-10 the stricken blimp flew in circles, and pitched up and down several times before settling 30-feet above the ground atop several trees. The pilot, Leigh Bradbury, was aiming for a nearby beach... but due to winds, couldn't quite make it.

Bradbury told the Associated Press he lost rudder control shortly after takeoff around 12:00 pm Tuesday.

The pilot was not injured in the incident... but Bradbury did spend a fretful two hours in the gondola, suspended from the slowly-leaking envelope, before being rescued by crews on all-terrain vehicles and a 35-foot ladder.

Wednesday morning, a professional tree-clearing service was called in to rescue the blimp. The airship -- owned by Lightship Group of Orlando, FL and leased to Hood for advertising purposes -- came down with the trees just before 7:00 am.

"It was being held by two trees, kind of like being held in a cradle," said police Sgt. Neil Andrews.

FAA investigators are looking into the incident, after which time it will be dismantled and removed from the wooded area.

The A-60 airship suffered one puncture near the tail -- but was otherwise reported in good shape.

FMI: www.lightships.com