NTSB, FAA to investigate fatal plane crash on I-85, traffic rerouted
{Contributed photo}
The southbound lanes of I-85 between Belmont Rd. and exit 88 have reopened after an accident Wednesday afternoon involving a plate and tractor trailer. The ramp from Hargrave Rd. to I-85S remains closed. A detour is in place at exit 88.
At 5:12pm, the North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to a report of a crash on I-85S in Lexington at mile marker 88. Upon arrival, law enforcement found a small plane engulfed in flames and a tractor trailer overturned. As a result of the incident, the pilot perished at the scene. The driver of the tractor trailer was transported to Lexington Medical Center with minor injuries. There is no additional update at this time on the status of the driver
Master Trooper Ned Moultrie reported the plane was taking off from the Davidson County Airport when it descended and collided with the rear end of the tractor trailer that was traveling south. “As a result, the rear of the tractor trailer ignited a fire, traveled off the road to the right and overturned.”
Classified as a traffic collision, the highway patrol will handle that portion of the investigation. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration is en route to the scene to investigate why the plane descended. Given what happened with the aircraft moments before the collision, Moultrie stated “at this point in time we believe there’s no contributing factors on that person (the operator of the tractor trailer).” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.
No time frame has been given as to when the southbound lanes of I-85 will reopen.
At the time publication, names of those involved in the accident haven’t been released.
*Davidson Local journalist, Brooke Maners, contributed to this story. All photos are contributed.
