A WOMAN was taken to hospital after the world's largest aircraft, Airlander 10, came loose from its moorings causing its hull to rip and deflate.

The part-plane, part-airship, which is the length of a football pitch, collapsed in Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire yesterday

It is the latest accident to befall the aircraft, which carried out its first flight in May since crashing in August last year.

Manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) said it was investigating why the £25 million aircraft broke free and added its hull was designed to rip open and deflate in the event of coming loose.