1 dead after small plane crashes in southwest Miami-Dade County

Crash occurs about mile from Miami Executive Airport

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – One person died after a small plane crashed Sunday afternoon in southwest Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade police said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that a Piper PA 60 aircraft crashed at 2:50 p.m. in a field about a mile-and-a-half west of Miami Executive Airport. 

The FAA said the pilot had just taken off and was returning to the airport after declaring an emergency when the plane crashed.

Police have not identified the pilot.

The FAA said it is investigating. The National Transportation Safety Board will also investigate to determine what caused the crash.