Authorities have identified the victims of a tragic plane crash that occurred on Friday near the airport at 80 Aviation Drive in Chatham County, North Carolina. The crash, which took place at 12:50 p.m., claimed the lives of flight instructor MicMillan Abernathy and his student Justin Strauss, according to State Highway Patrol.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that emergency crews discovered the plane engulfed in flames in a wooded area near the airport. The downed aircraft has been identified as a Piper PA-28-140, capable of accommodating two to four individuals. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the incident.

This unfortunate incident marks another in a series of recent plane crashes involving smaller aircraft in North Carolina. In June, an 80-year-old pilot crashed his plane in Franklin County, while in May, two individuals sustained serious injuries in a Cumberland County plane crash that resulted in a fiery aftermath. Additionally, a pilot and UNC Health physician narrowly survived a crash at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in April.

The NTSB's ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the exact circumstances that led to the fatal crash in Siler City. As more information becomes available, authorities hope to prevent further accidents and prioritize safety measures for both pilots and passengers of small aircraft in the state.

The loss of Abernathy and Strauss has sent shockwaves through the aviation community. Their families and loved ones are left to mourn their tragic deaths. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those affected by this devastating plane crash.