Mooresville Doctor-Pilot Killed in Fiery Plane Crash

MOORESVILLE, N.C.,None — A plane crash in Georgia that killed a doctor from Mooresville, N.C. is under investigation.

Dr. Thomas Wilson died Monday when his private plane crashed and caught fire after taking off from a runway at the Augusta Regional Airport.

Kevin Wilson witnessed the crash. "I took my lunch break and I'd seen the plane take off in the sky and all of a sudden I heard something blow up and a piece of metal came out and the plane crashed into a ball of fire," he said.

WATCH: Local Doctor Killed In Plane Crash

This was the 53 year-old doctor's second accident involving the same Mooney 20 aircraft at the Augusta airport. In April, Wilson's plane crash landed on its belly. Wilson told investigators he was tired and forgot to put his landing gear down. The crash caused major damage to the plane's fuselage.

Family members said Wilson was an emergency doctor. Friends said he would often travel by plane to work at various hospitals.

Wilson often flew in and out of the Lake Norman Airpark, which friends said he helped build. Thomas Wilson Properties office space is also located there.

Wilson's sister said he'd been flying for over 20 years. "He was a very caring doctor and loving person and he will be missed very much," she said in a phone interview.

Ben Weddington had been friends with Wilson for the last 15 years. He said his heart goes out to his family and patients.

"He was a good soul and they should hold their head up high and be proud of him." Weddington added, "He helped a lot of people."

The NTSB and the FAA are investigating the crash.

WSOC