Airport authorities were surprised to find an abandoned aircraft “resting with its nose down in the grass beside a runway” earlier this week.
In an unusual turn of events, the pilot was missing, and it was evident that the plane, a vintage 1972 Cessna Skyhawk, had veered off the runway after a rough landing on Tuesday.
The unoccupied Cessna N20392 was discovered around 5 am at Naples Municipal Airport in Florida while the airport’s control tower was closed from 10 pm until 6 am.
While staff tried to unravel the mystery, more questions arose when security personnel reported seeing two individuals leaving the plane at the airport shortly after it landed in the middle of the grassy field, seemingly unharmed.
Robin King, the airport’s communication director, informed FOX4, “We arrived around five o’clock this morning and noticed an aircraft in the field. Our security had let two individuals out overnight, and they were fine. They walked away, and that’s all we know.”
FlightAware data revealed that the aircraft circled over Fort Myers and Naples before landing at Naples Airport in Florida just after 2:40 am. The runway had to be closed after the unexpected discovery, but normal operations resumed once the disabled plane was cleared from the field by approximately 6:30 am.
In a separate interview with WINK News, King expressed, “It’s an uncommon occurrence. Truly unusual, and it was a puzzle.” The pilot, identified as 24-year-old Brianna Brown, returned later in the day after the plane had been removed for inspection. Brown has since cooperated with authorities.
Lt. Bryan McGinn of the Naples Police Department stated, “We have learned that the pilot slid off the runway and notified staff.”
According to King, Brown had rented the plane from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in the Fort Lauderdale area. An incident report has been filed by the police, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified for further investigation.
Brown, hailing from Fort Lauderdale, was unharmed and is assisting with the investigation. It remains uncertain if any charges will be brought against Brown or the unidentified individual on board.
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