Rescuers used bucket trucks to bring down the pilot and a passenger of the plane shortly before 1:00 a.m. Crews rescue pilot & passenger from plane that crashed into Gaithersburg power lines, knocking out power to thousands MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A small plane crashed into power lines in Montgomery County, leaving a pilot and passenger trapped and thousands without power Sunday evening, according to officials. Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Pete Piringer said that officials responded to Rothbury Drive and Goshen Road around 5:40 p.m. after a report of the crash. At the scene, the small plane was seen dangling 100 feet in the air in a Pepco tower. After seven hours, emergency crews rescued the pilot and passenger who were trapped in the plane and used a bucket truck to get them safely back on the ground. Maryland State Police said the pilot has been identified as 65-year-old Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C and the passenger is 66-year-old woman from Louisiana. Both were seen being placed in ambulances, although early on officials said the two were not injured.