GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — A single-engine plane made an emergency landing on a busy road in Georgia, striking three vehicles and leaving two people with minor injuries, authorities said, after one of the two pilots on board told air traffic controllers to let his wife and parents know he loved them.
The Hawker Beechcraft Bonanza landed Monday on Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. It was headed to Cherokee County Regional Airport in Canton from Gainesville’s Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport. The plane turned back after experiencing problems with the engine just after departure, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement.
The plane didn’t have enough power to make it to the airport. It landed on the road, the NTSB said.
“I think we’re not going to make it,” air traffic audio recorded by LiveATC.net said. “Please tell my wife, Molly, I love her, and my parents. I love them so much.”
More than 10 minutes later, “We’re going to be fine” is heard on the recording.