LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. – A small plane flew over the Kinston Drag Strip during a race and crashed, officials say. The pilot died in the crash, according to reports.

The crash happened at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire Department Chief Daniel Chewning told the media Thursday night.

"They were racing. The only thing we know as of now is that a plane came into view and crashed in the drag strip," Chewning said in a video shared by Neuse News.

The Federal Aviation Authority and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, Chewning said. The North Carolina Highway Patrol and Lenoir County Sheriff's Office were on scene Thursday night, he said. 

He said the fire department had a truck at the drag strip already during the race.

Images from the scene show a small yellow plane crashed into the drag strip.