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Casualties unknown

Practice Emergency Landing Ends with Inverted Aircraft on Dirt Road (N6845X)

Albuquerque, NM, US

On February 22, 2002, a Cessna 172A (registration N6845X) was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's delay in executing a go-around while conducting a simulated emergency landing, which resulted in an in flight collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a full-flap practice emergency landing, the pilot initiated a go-around too low, causing gear touchdown on a dirt road. The airplane veered left, struck a berm, bounced, stalled, and came to rest inverted.

Accident Overview

A practice emergency landing was in progress with full flaps deployed when the pilot judged the descent too shallow. Before a go-around could be effectively initiated, the main landing gear contacted a dirt road surface. The pilot immediately applied full power, but the airplane deviated to the left, and the left main landing gear collided with a berm at the roadside.

Sequence of Events

Following the gear strike, the pilot retracted the flaps partially and persisted with the go-around maneuver. The airplane then experienced multiple bounces, lost aerodynamic lift, and stalled. Contact with the ground occurred with sufficient force to collapse the nose landing gear, and the airplane ultimately came to rest in an inverted position.

Notes

The source provides no further details regarding aircraft type, registration, crew or passenger status, injuries, or environmental conditions. No probable cause or contributing factors are stated in the official record.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Feb 2002 Cessna 172A accident near Albuquerque, NM?

During a full-flap practice emergency landing, the pilot initiated a go-around too low, causing gear touchdown on a dirt road. The airplane veered left, struck a berm, bounced, stalled, and came to rest inverted.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Feb 2002 involved a Cessna 172A, registration N6845X, at Albuquerque, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's delay in executing a go-around while conducting a simulated emergency landing, which resulted in an in flight collision with terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020225X00256. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.