Aerospace

Small Plane Crashes Into Power Lines In US, Triggers Major Blackout

In the wake of the plane crash, 90,000 houses faced electricity loss.

On Sunday, a small plane about 30 miles north of Washington, D.C., creating widespread disruptions and requiring rescuers to work through the night to rescue two people on board the aircraft who were still trapped in the cables.

According to the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service, the plane crashed in Montgomery Village, Maryland, at around 5.30 p.m. (2230 GMT) in cloudy and wet conditions. About 100 feet above the earth, it got entangled in live electrical cables.

LATAM Airbus aircraft A320 suffers heavy damage after flying through storm(Opens in a new browser tab)

Despite the fact that over 90,000 houses and businesses in Montgomery County lost electricity as a result of the plane crash, one-quarter of the county as a acing the outage. No one was injured in the incident.

“Power has been cut to sections of the county after a small plane crashed with several power wires near Rothbury Drive and Goshen Road. @mcfrs is already on the scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police tweeted, “PLEASE AVOID THE AREA as there are still live wires.

A small plane has crashed into power lines in the area of Rothbury Dr & Goshen Rd, taking out power to parts of the county.@mcfrs is on scene. PLEASE AVOID THE AREA, as there are still live wires. #MCPD #MCPNews

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) November 27, 2022

Due to the rainy weather, the crash occurred close to a commercial area, although its exact cause is yet unknown. According to one estimate, the plane may have hit lines as high as 10 stories up. That could not be immediately confirmed, the Washington Post reported.

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Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.