N944AC

On July 29, 2001, about 1153 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N944AC, registered to Naples Air Center, Inc., ran off the runway when the nose gear collapsed during landing at Naples Municipal Airport, Naples, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Naples, Florida, the same day, about 1145.

The student pilot stated that the airplane touched down on the main landing gear and the nose came up slightly. The airplane bounced and he was thinking of performing a go-around. The airplane then rolled slightly to the left and at this point was coming down again. He felt a go-around was not possible. He then felt a hot rush of air on his legs, the front nose tipped down, and the propeller contacted the runway. He held the yoke and waited until the airplane came to a stop. He then transmitted to the control tower controller that he was alright and he then saw smoke and felt flames shoot out towards his right leg. He then evacuated the airplane and when he turned around he saw that the airplane was on fire.

The instructor stated he had flown with the student earlier in the morning. He then allowed the student to fly on a solo flight and went to the control tower to observe the student's solo flight. The student flew a normal takeoff and traffic pattern. The student appeared to flare correctly and touched down on the main landing gear. The airplane bounced several times and then landed on the nose landing gear, which bent back. The airplane slid down the runway and came to rest in the grass to the left of the runway. The student got out of the airplane and then the engine of the airplane caught fire.