 Cliff flies to and boards the airship , but during the ensuing showdown , Jenny accidentally sets the bridge on fire using a flare gun . Sinclair takes the rocket pack to save himself , saying " I 'll miss Hollywood " . This proves to be an ironic statement , as Cliff has removed the makeshift chewing gum patch from the tank , which is now leaking . The fuel catches fire , and the fire follows the vapor trail to the rocket pack 's fuel tank , which also catches fire , causing Sinclair to plummet to his death near the " <unk> " sign ; the resulting explosion destroys the LAND part of the sign . Lothar is engulfed in flames as the airship explodes , but Cliff and Jenny are rescued at the last moment by Hughes and Peevy flying an autogyro . 
