DANVERS, Mass. -- Boston's famous Hood blimp is often seen high above Fenway Park, but Monday night it had no ordinary flight.

The dirigible's trip ended up flooding local 911 operators with some very concerned calls.

Residents who were just finishing dinner reported that the blimp could be seen just above the tree line in Somerville, Medford and Saugus, and police dispatchers were swamped with emergency calls from frightened residents worried about how low the craft was flying. Some weren't even sure what it was.

State police contacted the Federal Aviation Administration, but the FAA knew nothing of the blimp's flight plan or the pilot's troubles.

Finally, the FAA was able to make contact with the blimp's pilot, who said high winds forced him to fly extremely low. He was finally able to land safely at Beverly Airport.

It wasn't the first time the blimp had problems. Almost a year ago the Hood blimp crashed into the woods of Manchester by the Sea.

During that incident, the blimp leaked helium and its steering mechanism failed. The pilot, Leigh Bradbury, tried landing on Singing Beach, but winds blew him off-course and into some trees.

Bradbury was suspended in the gondola for two hours before rescuers could get to him.

It was unclear who was piloting the blimp Monday night.