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4:55 a.m. • 2-11-12

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Clayton Restaurant Plans to Rebuild After Plane Crash


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clayton plane
clayton plane

Cleanup after a fatal plane crash is on hold at a Clayton restaurant as investigators finish their work.

Investigators said they believe the pilot was flying the small, single-engine plane that slammed into McCalls BBQ and Seafood restaurant located at 10365 U.S. Highway 70 West on Friday.

“The percussion of the blast actually blew that entire wall off the building,” said Worth Westbrook, owner of McCall's BBQ and Seafood.

The mangled plane could be seen inside the exposed dining area. By Saturday afternoon, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Administration had collected a lot of the wreckage.

McCall's employee Jennifer Dudley said she had a close call with the falling aircraft.

“I was coming into the parking lot when the plane crossed in front of my car,” Dudley said.

“All ceilings in the entire restaurant will have to be replaced because of the water damage,” Westbrook said.

While dining-in is out of the question until the restaurant is rebuilt, the catering service is still operational. Catering orders from the Clayton location are being sent to McCall's in Goldsboro.

Owners do not know the cost of the damage yet, but said they have insurance. It is expected to be enough to cover rebuilding and pay its 100 employees until the restaurant re-opens.

“From our standpoint, it's just matter of fixing it back,” Westbrook said.

Westbrook said the last time a McCall's restaurant shut down was after Hurricane Fran, for about five days.

The cause of the plane crash has not been released.

  • Reporter:
  • Photographer: Anthony Shepherd
  • Web Editor: Minnie Bridgers

RELATED TOPICS: Clayton, Hurricane Season

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18 Comments


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I don't think I've ever had hot pudding...

i grew up with mccalls in goldsboro and was very excited when they opened in clayton, which is closer to us. i find the bbq chicken to be excellent. the banana pudding, served cold, is hitting below the mark. i expect my pudding to be served hot. either way, i anxiously wait for the re-opening and hope it occurs while i'm still pregnant (I've come to love a good buffet.)

I don't even think it was Hurricane Fran. I remember the Goldsboro McCalls having some problems with being flooded after Floyd.

And whether McCalls has great food or not-it is still a horrible tragedy that has happened.

Kattails................ the postings here always seem to go wayward/off subject

I commend Mccall's for thinking of the employees salary while being closed and I HIGHLY commend the Pilot for his attempt to miss the highway traffic and land the plane in a parking lot. Sorry for the pilot and his family.The family should feel proud of the pilot for what he tried to do to save livea.

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