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A small plane crashed into Lake Hickor on Sunday morning about 11:30 killing both the pilot and a passenger.  According to the NC Highway Patrol, the crash occurred near Selkirk Drive.  A single-engine Super Petrel Amphibious Plane had just departed the Hickory Regional Airport.  Shortly after takeoff, the plane struck overhead power lines and crashed into the lake.  

First responders from Catawba, Alexander and Caldwell counties responded to the crash, which caused a power outage for about 10,000 customers in Hickory and the St. Stephens community.  Power was restored about 2 PM.  

The pilot was identified as Jeffrey Jay Cooley, 63, of Granite Falls; the passenger was Brian Frank Miller 49, of Hickory. 

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