Aussie pilot hailed hero in Goodyear Blimp crash
An Australian pilot killed after a Goodyear Blimp caught fire in Germany has been hailed a hero for rescuing three of its passengers.
According to reports, the pilot is Michael Nerandzic who hails from Wollongong, New South Wales and was one of the world's most experienced airship pilots, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The Goodyear Blimp was coming into land when the pilot told his three passengers to jump out just two metres above the ground.
The aircraft then quickly rose to around 40 metres, before bursting into flames above the Reichelsheim aerodrome, near Friedberg in central Germany.
The reasons behind the fire are unknown, and witnesses reported smelling petrol fumes and hearing a loud noise come from the engine.
The blimp was promoting a local festival, authorities said.
Mr Nerandzic was a well respected pilot in the industry, one blogger on airships net blog site wrote.
"He was simply one of the best airship pilots in the world. Anyone in the industry will tell you that," the blogger said.
"Mike showed great bravery when the incident occurred and saved the lives of the three passengers."
