Pilot dead after small plane crashes into building in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE — One person died Friday when a small plane crashed into a building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to authorities.

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Update 12:50 p.m. EST March 1: Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration said the crashed plane was a Piper PA-25 aircraft.

Preliminary information gathered by the FAA indicates the plane took off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines. The airport is about 20 miles southwest of the scene of Friday's crash.

Officials said the plane appeared to be towing a banner.

Fort Lauderdale Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan told reporters on the scene of the crash that one person -- the plane's pilot -- was on-board at the time of the crash. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. His or her identity has not been released.

Authorities continue to investigate.

Update 12:35 p.m. EST March 1: Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan told reporters Friday afternoon that one person was on-board the plane when it crashed into an 18-story condominium just before noon Friday.

"Unfortunately that individual did succumb to the injuries of the incident," Gollan said in an interview with WPLG.

No other injuries were immediately reported.

Gollan said authorities with the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

Original report: Just after noon, police asked people to avoid the area of the crash, at 3015 N. Ocean Blvd, as they responded to the scene.

A plane appeared to have crashed into the side of a condominium building Friday before landing on the roof of the building's parking garage, WPLG reported.

Cox Media Group