September 21, 2007, Clayton, N.C., North American Navion

The airplane crashed into a restaurant at about 1010 Eastern time and was destroyed by impact and a post-crash fire; the private pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses near the crash site reported low clouds in the area and seeing the airplane emerge from them. The airplane was then observed banking right, then descending until it impacted a parking lot, then traveled into the restaurant where an explosion was heard.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed into a restaurant at approximately 10:10 AM Eastern time, destroying the aircraft and fatally injuring the sole occupant private pilot.
  • Witnesses observed the plane emerge from low clouds, bank right, descend rapidly, and impact the site, followed by an explosion.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The airplane crashed into a restaurant at about 1010 Eastern time and was destroyed by impact and a post-crash fire; the private pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

Witnesses near the crash site reported low clouds in the area and seeing the airplane emerge from them. The airplane was then observed banking right, then descending until it impacted a parking lot, then traveled into the restaurant where an explosion was heard.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE