- A small aircraft veered off the runway during landing at Double Eagle Airport Wednesday morning.
- Both occupants escaped without injuries before emergency crews reached the upright plane.
- Federal investigators are evaluating landing performance factors including Albuquerque’s high altitude and temperatures.
A small aircraft veered off the runway during landing Wednesday morning at Double Eagle Airport in Albuquerque, but the two people aboard escaped on their own and officials reported no injuries.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue received the call at about 10:39 a.m. on August 5, 2026. Crews responded after reports that the aircraft had landed before leaving the paved runway surface.
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The aircraft remained upright. Both occupants exited before rescuers reached the scene.
Responders found no smoke or flames. They also reported no medical needs at the airport, and crews later transferred the scene to Double Eagle Operations for continued processing.
The response included nine units from Albuquerque Fire Rescue and two units from Bernalillo County Fire Rescue Station 66. Engine 22 arrived first.
Crews found the aircraft upright beyond the paved surface
The aircraft came to rest off the runway but inside the airport’s runway safety area. Emergency personnel stabilized the scene while aviation officials arranged for the aircraft’s removal.
The specific runway closed temporarily. Other airport activity generally continued, with minor delays reported during the response.
As of August 6, the aircraft had been removed from the runway safety area. The names of the two occupants had not been released.
A spokesperson for the Albuquerque International Sunport, which oversees Double Eagle II, said the occupants left the plane safely before first responders arrived.
“Officials said the two people aboard the aircraft were able to safely exit the plane before first responders arrived. No injuries were reported.”
The response followed a standard landing, according to the incident information. Investigators are examining what caused the aircraft to leave the runway.
FAA and NTSB notifications follow the runway excursion
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board received notifications under standard investigative procedures. The inquiry can include the aircraft’s mechanical condition and pilot communications.
Officials have not confirmed a mechanical failure. Investigators are also expected to consider environmental conditions, including high temperatures and the thinner air associated with Albuquerque’s elevation of 5,837 feet, which can affect landing performance.
The airport, identified as KAEG, is located at 7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd NW. It serves as a general aviation reliever airport for the Albuquerque International Sunport.
The facility handles approximately 120,000 annual operations. Those operations include flight training, military exercises and medical evacuations.
Manny Manriquez, the City of Albuquerque’s director of aviation, oversees the facility’s operations and safety protocols. The city appointed him director in June 2026.
The airport is weighing future runway needs
The incident came while the facility undergoes a Master Plan Update. A public open house on July 18, 2026, addressed future infrastructure needs and safety improvements for Runway 4-22 and Runway 17-35.
The runway excursion also followed a more serious crash near the airport on May 31, 2026. In that incident, a female pilot suffered serious extremity fractures and lacerations after her plane crashed at about 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s response ended without reported fire or medical treatment at the scene. Airport officials continued processing the incident after firefighters turned it over to aviation personnel.
