Transport of 70-Meter Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Crashes on Bundesstraße 294, Causing Road Closure

Early on January 15, 2026, a heavy transport vehicle carrying a massive 70-meter wind turbine rotor blade veered off Bundesstraße 294 near Bad Wildbad-Calmbach in Baden-Württemberg. The vehicle, believed to have experienced a technical defect in its steerable trailer, broke through guardrails and slid down a slope, leaving the rotor blade and trailer precariously positioned and blocking the entire road. This resulted in a complete road closure and significant traffic disruption.

Recovery operations commenced that morning and involve multiple agencies using heavy cranes. These efforts are expected to continue well into the afternoon given the complexity of the situation. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in the accident.

The damage caused is substantial, with estimates running into the millions of euros and the rotor blade declared unusable. The blade was originally intended for the Seewald wind farm, which is still under construction and aims to supply electricity to around 28,000 households. The incident highlights the challenges and risks involved in transporting large-scale wind energy components on German roads.