North Carolina: pilot dies after plane crashes into lorry on I-85

Crash in Lexington sparks small fire and injures driver of tractor-trailer

Emergency personnel work at the scene where a twin-engine Beechcraft Barron plane crashed into the tractor-trailer Lexington, North Carolina. AP

A plane crashed on Wednesday into a heavy-goods lorry on a motorway in the US state of North Carolina, killing the pilot and sparking a small fire, state police said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a twin-engined Beechcraft Barron crashed into the tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 South, near the Davidson County Airport in Lexington at about 5.35pm local time.

Early reports indicate the plane was taking off from the airport when it lost altitude and crashed into the southbound tractor-trailer. The name of pilot wasn't released on Wednesday night pending notification of relatives, the patrol said.

The agency said it would investigate the crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board, but provided no additional details.

News outlets reported the driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to a Winston-Salem hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Video footage from the scene showed the lorry lying on its left side. The tail section of the aircraft was seen next to the overturned rig. Video also showed firefighters spraying water as flames burned the ground next to I-85 with some debris scattered on the road.