N48858

On July 3, 2000, at 0853 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 152, N48858, was substantially damaged while landing at Beverly Municipal Airport (BVY), Beverly, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot's written statement, he departed BVY about 0800, and performed a series of touch-and-go(s). While on final approach to his last landing, he was worried about landing on the touchdown zone, and exiting the runway at taxiway "charlie". The nosewheel struck the ground first, and the airplane bounced twice. The nosewheel then collapsed, and the airplane veered off to the left side of the runway. It came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway.

The pilot reported a total flight experience of approximately 126 hours. Of his total experience, approximately 18 hours were as pilot in command; of which, 16 hours were pilot in command of the make and model accident airplane. He had flown approximately 3 hours within the 90 day period preceding the accident.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the nose gear and firewall. The inspector did not find any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.