Restaurant Hit by Plane Rebuilding

Clayton, N.C. — Less than five months after a plane slammed into a popular local restaurant, the owners are trying to rebuild and reopen.

Garry Stephen Reid, of Galivants Ferry, S.C., died Sept. 21 when his single-engine 1947 North American Navion crashed into the front of McCall's BBQ and Seafood restaurant, at 10365 U.S. Highway 70 West.

No one else was injured in the crash, which occurred about an hour before McCall's was scheduled to open for lunch.

The National Transportation Safety Board hasn't yet determined the cause of the crash.

"As you can see ... everything is pretty well gutted," said McCall's general manager Terry Tyner, who is supervising the clean-up and rebuilding effort.

The ceiling and some walls are still covered with soot from the fire and heavy smoke that filled the building after the crash. Nearly everything inside will have to be replaced.

"After the plane crashed, (the front) wall was lying out on the ground," Tyner said.

Crews replaced the wall to help protect the inside, and most of the structure can be salvaged. But before the restaurant can reopen, the entire red roof will have to be replaced.

McCall's owners said they hope the roof work will begin this week so they can get cooking again by spring. They said they expect to bring back most, if not all, of their employees.

"It kind of hurts, but then, when you start rebuilding and you see everybody's coming back together again, it makes you feel good," Tyner said.