It was a very close call for one Northern Louisiana McDonald’s restaurant on Tuesday.

According to airport officials, a small plane that was preparing to land at the Monroe Regional Airport, crashed into the McDonald’s parking lot on Desiard Street in Monroe, barely missing the building, and sending the pilot to the hospital.

Ron Phillips, the airport’s director, explained that the Beechcraft Bonanza plane was making its way to the landing site when it clipped a tree and started to spin, causing the crash.

The Monroe McDonald’s is particularly busy, with the Department of Transportation official’s offices across the street. “It could have been a lot worse,” Phillips said.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office released a statement following the crash. “OPSO is on scene of a small airplane crash in the 8000 block of Desiard St. Initial information obtained is that a v-tail single engine bonanza aircraft with one person on board crash landed into a parking lot at that location,” the statement read. “The pilot (the lone occupant) was removed and airlifted for medical treatment. NTSB has been notified and will investigate the case of the crash.”

“Hwy 80 from its intersection with hwy 139 to Sandal St. will be closed during this investigation. Updates will follow as information becomes available and as roads re-open,” the statement continued. “The pilot has been airlifted to University Health in Shreveport to be treated for his injuries. There’s no update on his condition.”

The pilot was identified as Michael Ray Martin, 41, of Calhoun, Louisiana.

Image via Wikimedia Commons