Plane Crashes on NC Interstate, Struck by Big Rig

A pilot is dead after his plane crashed onto Interstate 85 and was struck by a tractor-trailer in Davidson County Wednesday.

The twin-engine Beechcraft aircraft was taking off from Davidson County Airport when the crash happened. Witnesses said the plane appeared to be having problems before crashing.

"As soon as we got right over the highway, we saw the tail of the plane and we saw the tractor-trailer learning on its side and both were on fire," witness Don Holt Sr. told WRAL 5 TV. "As we got a little further, we saw a bunch of smoke — white smoke and black smoke."

Area fire departments, including ARFF crews from nearby Davidson County Airport worked to control the burning truck and plane along with grass fires that were sparked.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured, according to North Carolina State troopers.