Blimp catches fire, crashes at U.S. Open Championship

Mallorie Sullivan and USA TODAY | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Four young golfers to watch for at the U.S. Open These players are on the cusp of stardom and just need their first major championship to put them over the edge.

A blimp crashed near the site of the U.S. Open Championship Thursday in Erin, Wisconsin, after witnesses say it caught fire during tournament play.

The blimp went down about 11:15 a.m., according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Enquirer's Paul Daugherty, who was on a hill above the 13th green at the Erin Hills Golf Course, reported the pilot parachuted out of the blimp, which was "clearly torn," before the crash.

Just saw a blimp crash here at the open. Pilot looked to have parachuted out #USOpen — Paul Daugherty (@EnquirerDoc) June 15, 2017

I was on a hill above the 13th green. Guy says a blimp is falling. A mile away theblimp is clearly torn and falling. Its not near the course — Paul Daugherty (@EnquirerDoc) June 15, 2017

Rickie teeing off on No. 1.



What I presume is smoke from the blimp crash in the background. pic.twitter.com/ZSfLRcszwH — Bill Cooney (@PGATOUR_Cooney) June 15, 2017

According to the Sentinel, the pilot was transported by Flight for Life just after noon from the area of the crash, which Daugherty says is in an open field about a mile away from the golf course.

The pilot is OK but suffered some burns, a spokesman for AirSign told the Sentinel in a telephone interview from the company's Florida office.

The pilot remained with the blimp as it slowly descended to the ground.

"He stayed with the blimp until it went down," he said, adding that a crew member on ground pulled the pilot from the wreckage.

Just got to the #USOpen and the blimp caught fire and crashed. People parachuted out. pic.twitter.com/1lDi3VkXCu — madison seigworth (@msiggyy) June 15, 2017

Earlier Thursday, AirSign posted a photo of the PenFed Credit Union model that was flying over the course. The company encouraged Twitter users at the tournament to share their "blimp sighting" photos.

Dan Coffey, owner of the Air Strip WN75, a small, privately operated airfield not far from the crash site, said the accident was extremely unusual.

"These airships are FAA approved. They make sure that every one is inspected," he said. "This is an extremely rare accident."

A statement distributed by the United States Golf Association said the blimp was not affiliated with the USGA or the U.S. Open.

A blimp unaffiliated with the #USOpen or @FOXSports has crashed near Erin Hills. Pilot was injured and first responders are on the scene. — U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2017

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot at this time," the USGA statement said.

This is the first year the tournament, one of the PGA's four majors, has been held at the Wisconsin golf course. It is the 117th U.S. Open.

The Enquirer will update this story when more information becomes available.