• Emergency landing for small plane on busy road
• Plane collides with three vehicles without fatalities

The city of Gainesville, Georgia, witnessed an unusual incident Monday afternoon when a small plane made an emergency landing on a crowded road, striking multiple vehicles, temporarily closing a major intersection, and prompting an emergency response.

Authorities reported that the aircraft, a Hawker Beechcraft BE-36, had departed Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport shortly before 12:10 p.m. local time, heading to Cherokee County Regional Airport in Canton, when the pilot reported engine trouble to air traffic control.

Federal Aviation Administration data showed the plane lost engine power shortly after takeoff, forcing the pilot to attempt a roadside landing. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the aircraft lacked enough power to return to the airport, compelling the pilot to land on Browns Bridge Road near Pearl Nix Parkway, where it struck three cars.

Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot’s distress call: “Mayday, mayday… Gainesville… we’re not going to make it,” asking for a message to be sent to his family.

Despite the dramatic landing amid heavy traffic, no fatalities were reported, and authorities confirmed only minor injuries. Gainesville police said several people received medical attention and are expected to recover fully.

Officials noted the plane’s fuel tank detached during the collision and lodged in the back of an SUV, but there were no major explosions or fires.

The road remained closed for several hours as emergency crews, including fire and medical teams, responded. FAA and NTSB investigators began examining the scene to determine the exact cause of the engine failure and crash.

Browns Bridge Road is a main route through Gainesville, and the closure caused significant traffic disruption during the afternoon rush.