Plane crashes into motorway in huge fireball killing pilot as horrified drivers watch on in Netherlands

A PLANE has crashed into a motorway leaving the pilot dead and drivers pulled over watching the wreckage burn.

The small Aquila aircraft plummeted into the highway at around lunchtime Tuesday after taking off from a nearby flying school.

Footage taken by drivers shows plumes of thick black smoke and flames rising from the debris.

The horror crash happened near Breda, around 37 miles from Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

Motorists pulled over to the side of the road and watched the fire, unable to drive past the ruined plane.

One car was damaged in the crash, but there were no injuries beyond the dead aviator.

The pilot was tragically taking lessons at nearby Breda Aviation Flight School, who confirmed their student was in the “tragic accident”.

A German lorry driver said they saw the plane make a turn and then fall to the ground.

Another driver said: “I was on my way home from Breda when I felt an enormous bang.

“I was able to stop the car on the emergency lane and it was only after I got out that I saw the plane. I was incredibly lucky.”

Breda Aviation Flight School wrote in a message on Facebook that "the sadness and disbelief is indescribable".

“It is not yet known what the cause of the accident is.

"Our thoughts go out to the wife, family and surviving relatives.

"The dismay is great. Breda Aviation will be closed in the coming days.

"We would like to thank everyone for the heartwarming compassion shown."

The Dutch aviation Safety Board is now investigating the crash.