LAKE HICKORY, N.C. (CNN) — Officials with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol have confirmed the pilot and passenger of a small aircraft have died following a crash Sunday morning.
Authorities say they hit a power line on the way down, cutting electricity to thousands.
The Federal Aviation Authority is investigating the cause of the crash, which took place about 11:30 a.m., a spokesperson for the city of Hickory told CNN.
More than 17,000 Duke Energy customers were without electricity in Catawba County as of 12:40 p.m., according to PowerOutage.us.
Power was restored to most customers early Sunday evening.
Lake Hickory is about 53 miles northwest of Charlotte.
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