GP Express Airlines Flight 861 was a scheduled flight that met a catastrophic fate while attempting to land at Anniston Regional Airport, located in Anniston, Alabama. The aircraft, a de Havilland Dash 8, was in the process of final descent when it encountered difficulty. Eyewitness accounts described the plane struggling as it approached the airport, ultimately crashing into a wooded area adjacent to the runway. The crash resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including two passengers and the captain of the flight. The aircraft, which was operating under the auspices of a regional airline, was carrying a small number of passengers at the time of the incident.

Following the crash, investigations were launched by federal safety agencies to determine the underlying causes of the accident. Factors such as weather conditions, mechanical failures, and pilot error were meticulously reviewed. The results of the investigations drew attention to the safety practices in the aviation industry, particularly for regional airlines. The crash underscored the need for rigorous oversight and adherence to safety protocols, shaping policies aimed at enhancing the reliability of regional air travel.

This aviation disaster contributed to greater awareness and improvements in flight safety regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and various aviation safety organizations took notice of the incident and began to re-evaluate training requirements for pilots in smaller aircraft. The tragedy served as a pivotal moment for promoting stricter safety measures and monitoring within the airline industry, influencing future airline operations and emergency response procedures.