1 Killed When Plane Crashes Into Florida Home

WINTER HAVEN, FL -- One person was killed Saturday when a small plane crashed into the roof of a Florida home.

The crash occurred at 12:43 p.m. in the 2700 block of Idylridge Drive in Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The man who was killed was identified as 64-year-old James Wagner of Lakeland. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wagner was the instructor pilot of the UC-1 Twin SeaBee plane that had just taken off from Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport, the sheriff's office said.

His student was identified as 33-year-old Timothy Sheehy of Bozeman, Montana. who suffered minor injuries. Sheehy was able to exit the crashed plane on his own, the sheriff's office said.

"Preliminary information is that the pilots were conducting simulated engine
failure," the sheriff's office said. "It is not known at this time what caused the crash."

Three people were in the home when the plane lost power and crashed shortly after take-off.

The plane came to rest in a bedroom that was occupied by 17-year-old Carmelle Ngalamulume, the sheriff's office said.

Ngalamulume was trapped in her bedroom for a time as her 20-year-old brother, Joel, tried unsuccessfully to free her.

Their mother, Emerance , was taking a shower at the time of the crash.

Neither the mother or the brother were injured, but Carmelle Ngalamulume was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

"There were three other children, ages 15, 11 and 2, who were playing in the
front yard of the home, and they were also uninjured," the sheriff's office said.

"As tragic as this was for Mr. Wagner and his family, this could have been
much, much worse," added Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "This crash is an unbelievable scene. NTSB has been contacted and the FAA has responded to conduct their investigations."

Winter Haven Fire responded to the scene. The sheriff's office was assisted by Winter
Haven police.