Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Front of Golden Corral, Hitting Vehicles on Busy Road

The plane crashed into several vehicles after the pilot reported engine issues during the flight.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A small Hawker Beechcraft BE-36 plane made an emergency landing in front of a Golden Corral restaurant in Gainesville, Georgia, after the pilot reported engine problems. The plane crashed into three vehicles on the busy road, but remarkably there were only minor injuries reported.

Why it matters

Emergency landings of small planes in populated areas are extremely dangerous situations that can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The fact that this incident resulted in only minor injuries is highly unusual and speaks to the skill of the pilot and the quick response of emergency crews.

The details

The plane was headed from Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville to Cherokee County Regional Airport in Canton when the pilot reported engine issues around 12:10 pm. The pilot made a mayday call, saying 'We're not gonna make it,' before successfully landing the plane in front of the Golden Corral. The plane struck three vehicles on the busy road, but the employees in one of the hit vehicles were able to drive away with minimal damage.

  • The plane made the emergency landing around 12:10 pm on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The road was closed for several hours as crews worked to remove the plane, but was reopened around 6:15 pm.

The players

Hawker Beechcraft BE-36

A small private plane that was forced to make an emergency landing in Gainesville, Georgia.

Cory Davis

An employee whose company vehicle was hit by the plane during the emergency landing.

Gainesville Police Captain Kevin Holbrook

A police official who commented on the remarkable lack of serious injuries given the dangerous circumstances.

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What they’re saying

“Not everyday that you're sitting at a red light and a plane comes down and scrapes up the side of the truck.”

— Cory Davis, Employee (ktiv.com)

“This is typically a situation which we would see multiple fatalities. The fact that the plane struck a vehicle, the fuel compartment came off one of the wings, was lodged into the back of this vehicle and didn't cause some type of explosion is just absolutely remarkable.”

— Kevin Holbrook, Gainesville Police Captain (ktiv.com)

What’s next

The FAA and NTSB will investigate the incident, with the NTSB expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days.

The takeaway

This emergency landing highlights the skill of the pilot in avoiding a catastrophic outcome, as well as the quick response of emergency crews that prevented further tragedy. It serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and unpredictability of small plane travel, even in populated areas.