Two people trapped as small plane crashes into power lines in Maryland
Two people trapped as small plane crashes into power lines in Maryland – crews attempt high angle rescue as 80,000 homes and businesses go without power
- A pilot and a passenger are trapped in the plane but were not injured
- The plane crashed in Gaithersburg, 24 miles northwest of Washington, DC
- Video and photos show the plane suspended 100 feet in the air from the tower
- Utility company Pepco reported that around 80,000 customers are without power
A rescue is underway for a pilot and passenger who became trapped when a small plane crashed Sunday night into live power lines in a Maryland neighborhood, causing widespread power outages.
Heartbreaking video captured the scene in Gaithersburg where the plane could be seen hanging 100ft in the air from an electrical tower.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department chief spokesman Pete Piringer tweeted that two people were on the plane and uninjured.
Crews at the scene are working to rescue individuals during a high-angle rescue, WUSA9 reported. Officials said it could take several hours before they are released from the plane.
Crews perform a high-angle rescue for a pilot and passenger who became trapped when a small plane crashed into live power lines in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Sunday evening
Authorities responded to the crash site around 5:40 p.m. in the Rothbury Drive and Goshen Road area in Montgomery County near Gaithersburg, a small town about 24 miles northwest of Washington, DC.
The FAA released a statement indicating that a single-engine Mooney M20J took off from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York and crashed in Gaithersburg. The accident will be investigated.
The small plane became stuck about 100 feet above the ground later Sunday evening, and transmission lines remained live, complicating rescue efforts, Piringer told local media.
“Everything is still under tension right now,” he said.
Utility company Pepco reported that about 80,000 customers were without power in Montgomery County. Pepco said the plane came into contact with the company’s overhead transmission lines.
Heartbreaking photos and video captured the scene in Gaithersburg where the plane could be seen hanging 100ft in the air from an electric tower
The plane became stuck about 100 feet above the ground and transmission lines remained live, complicating rescue efforts, officials said.
Authorities responded to the accident around 5:40 p.m. in the Rothbury Drive and Goshen Road area in Montgomery County near Gaithersburg, 24 miles northwest of Washington, DC
“The company is assessing damages and emergency opportunities to restore service to affected customers,” a Pepco spokesperson said.
“Pepco is working closely with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and is awaiting clearance to the scene before crews can begin work to stabilize electrical infrastructure and begin restoring service. .”
The Montgomery County Police Department is asking people to avoid the crash area as there are still live wires.
Piringer did not comment on the alleged cause of the accident.
The FAA released the following statement:
‘This information is preliminary and subject to change.
A single-engine Mooney M20J crashed into wires near Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, Maryland at approximately 5:40 p.m. local time today. Two people were on board. The plane took off from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide additional updates.
The registration number is N201RF. You can search for the aircraft by its registration number on this webpage.
Neither agency identifies those involved in plane crashes.
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