US: Small plane crashes into power lines: NASA probe breaks 50-year-old record

A pilot (65) and his passenger (66) survived the fall of their plane in a high-voltage line in the US.

For hours, the two men had to fear for their rescue while the plane got stuck in a power pole about 30 meters above the ground. The machine got stuck there on Sunday evening (local time) for reasons that have not yet been clarified, local authorities said. The incident happened more than 35 kilometers north of the US capital Washington in the state of Maryland.

It was not until after midnight that the men were freed from the plane with serious injuries and taken to hospital. Her injuries are not life-threatening, US media reported. Hundreds of spectators reportedly gathered to watch the rescue operation. Firefighters kept in touch with residents. After extensive security measures were taken, the two men were removed from the aircraft with a jack-up platform.

At times, about 100,000 households were without electricity, it said. Classes were canceled at many schools in the area on Monday. According to the fire department, the plane was a single-engine machine from the American aircraft manufacturer Mooney. It was initially unclear whether the foggy weather played a role in the calamity. (cpf/sda/dpa)