SAN MARTIN, Calif. -- The pilot of a small plane has been confirmed dead after the plane he was flying crashed into a CHP weighing facility just off of northbound Highway 101 in San Martin, according to California Highway Patrol officers.

The plane slammed into a highway patrol truck weighing station right next to Highway 101 in San Martin shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday night. The FAA, the California Highway Patrol and Cal Fire remained on the scene investigating the crash late into the evening.

Investigators are conducting a painstaking search through the wreckage of the French-made, single-engine Socata Rallye aircraft that crashed into the building directly across Highway 101 from the South County Airport in San Martin.

People who live nearby were shaken by the fatal accident.

"I seen the plane coming down. It hit the highway patrol scale. As soon as it hit the floor, the plane exploded," described airport neighbor Miguel Salcido. "Before it hit the building, the plane … wasn't in control. It was going side to side."

Pilots KTVU talked to said they heard traffic between several pilots in the air and said one pilot yelled at another pilot that their plane was going the wrong direction.

Investigators have not been able to confirm what happened in the air prior to the crash and would only say the pilot was killed. When the plane hit the facility, firefighters rushed to the scene. The highway patrol said that fortunately the facility was closed.

"The plane was the only fire involvement. The structure received some smoke and heat damage to the exterior. I'm not sure the extent of the damage in terms of water and smoke damage through extinguishing of the fire," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Van Gerwen

"Ironically, today was a training day at the facility. Otherwise it would have been open and we would have had an officer and a commercial vehicle inspector stationed near the window area adjacent to where the aircraft actually struck," explained CHP Assistant Chief Troy Abney.

Some nearby homeowners felt lucky too.

"Sometimes we think about hearing a 'boom'. We all kind of run out to see what's going on," said airport neighbor Delia Moreno. "It's really scary because it's really close to my house."

The coroner's office arrived here about half an hour ago. Investigators say as soon as the medical examiner finishes their business, the body will be removed, the scene will be secured and the investigation will resume in the morning.