Airport authorities were puzzled to find an abandoned aircraft “resting nose-down in the grass adjacent to a runway” earlier this week. Surprisingly, the pilot was missing, and it was evident that the damaged aircraft, a small 1972 Cessna Skyhawk, had veered off the runway following a rough landing on Tuesday.
The unmanned Cessna N20392 was discovered around 5 am at Naples Municipal Airport in Florida during a period when the airport’s traffic control tower was closed from 10 pm until 6 am. As staff grappled with the enigma, more questions arose when security personnel reported witnessing two individuals exiting the plane at the airport shortly after it landed in the middle of a grassy field, apparently unharmed.
Robin King, the airport communications director, informed FOX4, “We arrived around five o’clock this morning and found an aircraft in the middle of the field. Our security released two individuals from the airfield overnight. They were unscathed, walked away, and that’s the extent of our knowledge.”
FlightAware data indicated that the plane circled Fort Myers several times before landing at Naples Airport in Florida just after 2:40 am. The unexpected discovery led to the temporary closure of a runway, but regular airport operations resumed after the disabled plane was cleared from the field by approximately 6:30 am.
In an interview with WINK News, King expressed, “It’s an unusual situation. It’s really peculiar, and it’s a mystery.” The pilot, identified as 24-year-old Brianna Brown, returned later in the day after the aircraft had been removed for inspection. Brown has since cooperated with the Naples Police Department and airport operations personnel.
Lt. Bryan McGinn from the Naples Police Department stated, “We have learned that the pilot slid off the runway… the pilot claimed they had informed the staff.” It appears that Brown rented the aircraft in Fort Lauderdale and flew it from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. An incident report has been filed by the police, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified for further investigation.
Brown, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, emerged unharmed from the incident and is actively participating in the investigation. As of now, it remains uncertain whether Brown or the unidentified other person onboard will face any charges.
