The British airship R-38, also known as the ZR-2, was a significant airship designed for both military and experimental purposes. It was a collaborative venture between the British and American governments, intended to strengthen transatlantic airship operations. On a training flight over Hull, England, the airship encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff. Witnesses reported a loud noise followed by a dramatic loss of altitude, leading to the vessel crashing into the Humber Estuary. The airship was a large dirigible, nearly 800 feet long, blending cutting-edge technology with the complexities of flight dynamics.

The R-38 was built by the British government with American design assistance, reflecting the collaboration between the two nations post-World War I. At the time of the disaster, the airship was being utilized for training purposes, which consisted of mostly inexperienced naval personnel. The structural failure, attributed to a combination of design flaws and possible over-inflation, raised alarms about the safety measures surrounding airship travel. As it plummeted toward the estuary, the airship split apart, scattering debris and igniting upon impact, leading to chaotic scenes.

The tragedy led to a comprehensive inquiry into the accident, focusing on structural integrity and training protocols for future operations. The loss of life provoked a reevaluation of airship policies and safety, particularly the need for improved engineering practices. Although airships had shown promise as a means of transport, this disaster significantly hindered public and military interest in airship technology moving forward.