Flight instructor dies after aircraft crashes into Florida home, deputies say

A flight instructor has died after a plane crashed into a home in Winter Haven, Florida, on Saturday, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Lakeland flight instructor James Wagner, 64, was identified by deputies as the victim who died in the crash.

Deputies said a 17-year-old girl was in a bedroom in the house and was pinned under the wreckage after the crash. She was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

The crash occurred just after the aircraft took off from the Winter Haven Regional Airport around 12:48 p.m., deputies said.

The home that was damaged is on 21st Street Northwest, which runs along the east side of the airport.

Several people were inside the home during the crash, deputies said.

Investigators said the plane had two people inside during the crash.

Deputies did not say if Wagner was the one who was flying during the crash.

A trainee pilot inside the aircraft survived the crash and even walked out of the wreckage after the incident, deputies said.

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