This is the terrifying moment a plane nosedived in a horror crash onto a motorway in Italy.

Footage shows a busy highway near Azzano Mella, Brescia, as a microlight aircraft suddenly plummeted from the sky and burst into flames on Tuesday, July 22.

Thick black smoke rose into the air around 12:19 pm, with some vehicles coming to a stop while others cautiously continued past the scene.

An incident report from the Aviation Safety Network stated: 'An ultralight aircraft crashed on a motorway connecting the A4 and the A21, near the town of Azzano Mella, in the province of Brescia.

'After hitting the ground, the aircraft caught fire. Both occupants were killed. The flames also engulfed two passing cars, injuring two people.'

Another person sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire and secure the area, which suffered significant damage due to leaking fuel and scattered debris.

The remains of the aircraft's occupants were recovered from the cockpit and later identified by local media as Sergio Ravaglia, 75, a lawyer, and Anna Maria De Stefano, 50.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.