One dead in plane crash into Florida childcare centre

One person has been killed in a light plane crash into a childcare centre in south Florida.

The single-engine plane struck the vacant building in Fort Myer about 8am yesterday, US police said.

The crash happened shortly after the plane took off from a nearby airfield.

Police confirmed there was one fatality, and another victim was taken to hospital for treatment.

According to witnesses, the plane clipped trees before crashing into the centre and bursting into flames.

“As I was leaving, I saw this plane going really low. When he passes the trees, his wings clipped the tress, flipped over and hit the side of the building,” one witness said.

“He did a somersault, landing in front, and blew up.”

Lee Country Undersheriff Carmine Marceno confirmed no one was inside the building when it was struck, US media outlets say. 

Federal authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.