12 February - The USS Macon crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California in 1935

 

The USS Macon (ZRS-5) was a rigid airship built for the United States Navy during the 1930s. It was one of the largest helium-filled airships ever created, along with its sister ship, the USS Akron. Unfortunately, the USS Macon met a tragic end when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

Key details about the USS Macon crash:

1. Construction: The USS Macon was constructed by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1933.

2. Helium-Filled Airship: Unlike the highly flammable hydrogen used in earlier airships, the USS Macon, along with the USS Akron, was filled with non-flammable helium, which enhanced safety.

3. Purpose: The USS Macon was designed for long-range scouting missions and served as a flying aircraft carrier, capable of carrying biplanes in an internal hangar.

4. Crash Date: On February 12, 1935, during a storm off the coast of California, the USS Macon experienced structural failure in its tailfin. The ship ultimately crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

5. Loss of Life: While the USS Macon's crash resulted in the loss of the airship, most of the crew members survived. Unlike some earlier airship disasters, the use of helium contributed to the relatively low loss of life in this incident.

6. Legacy: The loss of the USS Macon marked the end of the U.S. Navy's rigid airship program. The era of rigid airships saw significant advancements in aviation technology, but after the crash of the USS Macon, the focus shifted more towards non-rigid airships, blimps, and other types of aircraft.

The USS Macon crash remains a notable event in the history of airships and aviation, and it played a role in the decline of rigid airship operations in the U.S. Navy.