Prince George’s County Incident – Helicopter Drops From Transport On Capital Beltway
Prince George’s County, Maryland —
As personnel reposition a helicopter that fell off a transport vehicle Tuesday around noon, Prince George’s County and Maryland State officials have advised drivers to anticipate traffic delays on a section of the Capital Beltway Outer Loop in Prince George’s County.
The privately owned helicopter came loose from the truck near the Branch Avenue (Route 5) ramp on Interstate 495.
The Maryland Department of Transportation reports that as of 2:30 p.m., the incident that briefly closed the right merging lane and shoulder lane has been reopened.
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The Maryland State Police stated that attempts are being made to reattach the helicopter to the tractor-trailer, while a representative from the Prince George’s County Fire Department stated that no units were sent out.
Investigating the reason for the mishap, authorities are looking into many things, including how the helicopter was secured to the transport vehicle and any possible mechanical issues. To ascertain the events leading up to the helicopter’s fall, a comprehensive investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is anticipated.
To remove the debris from the Capital Beltway and restore traffic, crews worked nonstop. The downed helicopter was lifted and removed using heavy machinery, and the road was methodically cleansed of debris to allow cars to pass safely.
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Authorities in charge of commuter advisory services advised drivers to steer clear of the impacted section of the Capital Beltway and, if at all feasible, take detours. As cleanup operations proceeded as investigators attempted to identify the incident’s source, traffic congestion was predicted to endure.
A flurry of emergency response operations and traffic disruptions occurred on the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County following the helicopter’s fall from a transport vehicle.
Even though there were no injuries recorded, the event serves as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in moving large objects and the significance of following safety procedures. The Capital Beltway’s regular traffic patterns will be restored and the accident site will be safely cleared as investigations move forward, according to the authorities.