Kerry Washington -- Out of Control Fan in NYC ... IT'S HANDLED (PHOTO & VIDEO)

Kerry Washington could've used the services of Pope & Associates Thursday morning in NYC when a frantic and desperate fan rushed at her.

Kerry was leaving GMA and took time to pose for a few photos with fans, but after she took a couple of shots ... things got out of hand. More and more fans started coming over ... calmly at first, but a woman in a green jacket was the last straw.

Check it out ... police and a security guard stepped in at the last second to haul her away.

Scandal averted.