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Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Georgia Road, Crashes into Cars
Pilot radioed air traffic control saying he didn't think he'd make it back to the airport
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
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A small plane made an emergency landing on a busy road in Gainesville, Georgia, on February 9, 2026, after experiencing engine problems shortly after takeoff. The 2010 Beechcraft Hawker G-36 landed on Browns Bridge Road, spun out of control, and crashed into several stopped cars at an intersection. Miraculously, the pilot and student pilot on board survived with only minor injuries, and two people on the ground were also hospitalized with minor injuries.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the dangers of small planes experiencing mechanical issues and the challenges pilots face in finding safe landing spots, especially in populated areas. It also raises questions about airport safety protocols and whether more can be done to prevent such emergencies from occurring.
The details
According to reports, not long after taking off from the nearby Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport, the plane started having engine problems. The pilot, Thomas Rogers, radioed air traffic control, saying "I think we're not going to make it" and asking them to tell his wife and parents that he loved them. Rogers and the student pilot on board managed to land the plane on the busy road, but it spun out of control and crashed into three stopped cars at an intersection. The plane dislodged a fuel tank that ended up in the back of an SUV.
- The incident occurred on February 9, 2026.
- The plane took off from Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport shortly before the emergency landing.
The players
Thomas Rogers
The pilot of the 2010 Beechcraft Hawker G-36 plane that made the emergency landing.
Molly Rogers
The wife of pilot Thomas Rogers.
Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport
The airport the plane took off from shortly before experiencing engine problems.
Gainesville Police Department
The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and stated it was a miracle the plane landed with minimal destruction.
What they’re saying
“I think we're not going to make it. Please tell my wife, Molly, I love her, and my parents. I love them so much.”
— Thomas Rogers, Pilot (LiveATC.net)
“The fact that this plane came down, did not strike any power poles, any power lines, and only hit three vehicles is absolutely remarkable.”
— Kevin Holbrook, Police Captain, Gainesville Police Department (Fox 5 Atlanta)
“We lost our engine taking off out of Gainesville and tried to glide back, did everything by the book, but realized we weren't gonna make it back with how far out we were, so we came down the road.”
— Thomas Rogers, Pilot (Fox 5 Atlanta)
What’s next
The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the exact cause of the engine failure and assess the pilot's actions.
The takeaway
This emergency landing highlights the importance of airport safety protocols and the quick thinking of pilots when faced with mechanical issues. While the outcome could have been much worse, the fact that the plane landed on a busy road with minimal destruction is a testament to the skill of the pilot and the luck of those on the ground.
