Authorities have confirmed that a pilot was killed when the small plane they were in collided with a tractor-trailer while crossing a North Carolina interstate.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAR) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Wednesday that they are investigating the collision of a twin-engine Beechcraft Barron with a tractor-trailer in Lexington, North Carolina on Interstate 85.
At around 5:30 p.m., the plane crashed close to the Davidson County Airport. It collided with the vehicle along the interstate. ET, according to the FAA.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the pilot was the only occupant of the plane and was declared dead on the spot.
They identified him as Raymond John Ackley (43), of Charlotte.
According to the highway patrol, it is still not clear what caused the accident that caused the tractor-trailer overturning and to veer off the roadway.
They said that the driver of the vehicle was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the highway patrol, a Ford truck in 2019 was also damaged by debris from the collision.
Donald Holt Sr., a witness to the incident, stated that he and his wife noticed that the plane was "kinda low" while speaking with WRAL-NBC Raleigh.
Holt stated that the plane's tail was visible as soon as they crossed the highway. He also said that the tractor-trailer was learning on its side. Both were "on fire" and that there was "a lot of smoke, both white and black.
Following the accident, all lanes on the southbound I-85 were shut down near Exit 88. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the ramp from North Carolina Highway 47 to I-85 South was still closed as of Thursday morning.
