Pilot shares emotional message to family before making emergency landing on busy road
By Reeves Jackson
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GAINESVILLE, Georgia (WXIA) — A single-engine plane made an emergency landing on a busy Gainesville road on Monday afternoon, striking several vehicles but leaving only minor injuries, authorities said.
The crash happened shortly after noon on Browns Bridge Road near the intersection of Pearl Nix Parkway, according to police.
Newly obtained audio from inside the aircraft captured the pilot in the final moments before the plane touched down, with a message to other pilots over the common traffic advisory frequency, in case he didn’t make it.
“We’re not gonna make it. Please tell my wife, Molly, I love her … and my parents. I love them so much,” the pilot said.
Police said the Hawker Beechcraft BE-36 hit multiple vehicles as it came down in the roadway. Despite the dramatic landing, officials reported only minor injuries.
The Gainesville airport manager said there were two people on board — the pilot and one passenger. She said she later spoke briefly with the pilot, shook his hand and congratulated him on what she described as a good landing given the circumstances.
Authorities believe engine trouble may have led to the emergency landing. The incident remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
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