Columbus County man dies in plane crash

A Columbus County man died Thursday night shortly after his plane took off from a private runway. According to Highway Patrol, it happend just after 7 p.m. about a mile and a half south of Chadbourn, off Highway 410.

Shannon Harrelson, who was in his 30s, was by himself in his 2005 model of a Titan Tornado - an experimental, fixed wing, single engine, two seater.

According to Highway Patrol, Harrelson got 100 to 200 feet into the air before his plane veered to the right, and crashed into a private field.

The FAA will take over the investigation Friday morning.