Runaway military blimp causes power outages in US

A massive US surveillance blimp broke loose from its mooring Wednesday, sparking power outages as it drifted over the east of the country dragging a 6,700-foot cable before eventually sinking down to Earth, officials said.

 Two US F-16s fighter jets were scrambled to pursue the so-called JLENS blimp as it floated northeast of Washington at an altitude of about 16,000 feet (4,875 meters).

 The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the huge balloon-like structure finally landed in Montour County in Pennsylvania, at around 4:00 pm (2000 GMT.) A military recovery team was en route to the area to collect the runaway aircraft.

 Authorities warned people to "remain clear" as power outages were reported in the town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

 Local television said the cable attached to the helium-filled blimp had been "hitting power lines and causing blackouts" in Bloomsburg.

 It came untethered from its mooring at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, an army installation in Maryland, at around 12:20 pm (1620 GMT), NORAD said.

 "Anyone who sees the aerostat is advised to contact 911 immediately; people are warned to keep a safe distance from the airship and tether as contact with them may present significant danger," a statement from the Aberdeen Proving Ground said.

 JLENS blimps carry powerful radars that can monitor an area about the size of Texas for airborne threats including unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles and other objects.

 The blimp normally flies at about 10,000 feet. When on the ground, it is tied down with a Kevlar-like cable a little more than an inch (2.5 centimeters) thick.