Student Pilot Walked Away After Airplane Impacted A House

A 64-year-old flight instructor from Lakeland, FL was fatally injured Saturday when the airplane, identified as a UC-1 Twin SeaBee, in which he was giving instruction impacted a house in Winter Haven, FL. One other person on board the aircraft, 33-year-old Timothy Sheehy of Bozeman, Montana, a student pilot, walked away from the accident with minor injuries.

Also injured was 17-year-old Carmelle Ngalamulume , who was in the bedroom that the plane impacted, and she became entrapped. Her 20-year-old brother Joel Ngalamulume, who was in the next room, tried unsuccessfully to free her. Their mother, Emerance Ngalamulume, was taking a shower at the time of the crash.

Preliminary information from the Polk County Sheriff's Office is that the pilots were conducting simulated engine failure. It is not known at this time what caused the crash.

Shortly after take-off, the plane lost power, and impacted the residence.

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, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

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

Winter Haven Fire responded to the scene, and PCSO was assisted by Winter Haven Police Department.

(Image from YouTube video posted by television station WTSP)

FMI: www.polksheriff.org, www.ntsb.gov