HICKORY, N.C. -- One person was confirmed dead after a plane crashed and burst into flames on a road just outside the Hickory Regional Airport early Monday.

The wreck happened on Second Avenue Northwest just past the curve at the end of the runway about 11:40 a.m. Airport officials said the crash happened during the plane's takeoff. It appears the plane never got off the ground.

Firefighters responded to put out flames coming from the wreckage.

Authorities said the plane was a restored Korean War-era F-86 Sabre jet military aircraft. The single-seat plane broke in two and its ejection seat wasn't used, officials said.

Kenny Coffey, who was working outside nearby, said he hear two explosions.

"I heard 'boom, boom,' and then I heard a winding up, like it was taking off. Then I heard screeching like brakes, and then I heard explosions," he said.

The identity of the pilot hasn't been released by authorities, but the plane was registered to Wyatt Fuller. Friends said they believe he was piloting the plane.

Jim Carr, who works with the Civil Air Patrol in Hickory, said he knew Fuller well.

"I could bring a Civil Air Patrol cadet over there, whether they were 12 years old or 20 years old – it didn't matter, he would stop what he was doing and show them around his airplane and teach them a little bit about aviation," Carr said.

Dario Cannon also came to the crash site when he heard about Fuller's aircraft. He said the pilot will be missed.

"The best, most generous individual you could ever meet," he said. "It was a pure accident. Stuff happens; you could walk out your door and get in an accident. He just tested the limit. When you're dealing with a technology, machinery like this, stuff happens."

The aircraft was on its way to an Experimental Aircraft Association air show in Oshkosh, Wis., when the crash occurred. Friends said during the past two months extensive work had been done on the plane to get it ready for the air show.

Firefighters said the plane had just taken on 800 pounds of jet fuel prior to takeoff.

The wreckage was still on the road late Monday afternoon. Authorities shut down the road to investigate and clean up the scene.