Terrifying Moment: Small Plane Flips During Landing at New Hampshire’s Jaffrey Airport
A routine landing turned into a nightmare this past Thursday at the Jaffrey Airport, also widely known as Silver Ranch. In a startling accident that has shaken the local aviation community, a small aircraft veered off the runway and flipped onto its roof, leaving two men with serious injuries.
According to local authorities, the aircraft—an RV-7A—was attempting to touch down when it suddenly lost control, skidding off the pavement and overturning. The impact was severe, but thanks to the quick response of emergency services, both occupants survived the crash.
Victims and Immediate Response
The plane was carrying a pilot and one passenger, both of whom are reported to be from out of state. First responders arrived to find both men suffering from serious injuries to their heads and torsos. Despite the severity of their condition, they remained conscious and were able to communicate with medical personnel on the scene.
Due to the critical nature of their injuries, medical helicopters were deployed to transport the victims to the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for urgent care.
A Rare Occurrence for Silver Ranch
For the Jaffrey Police Department, this was an unprecedented event. Police Chief Chris Labrecque noted that this was the first airplane crash the department had ever had to respond to. Furthermore, the owner of the Ranch mentioned that the last similar incident occurred approximately 20 years ago, highlighting how rare such accidents are at this airfield.
Technical Details and Potential Causes
The RV-7A is well-known in the aviation world as a high-performance, two-seat, single-engine, kit-built airplane. Airport manager Harvey Sawyer revealed that the pilot was likely the builder and owner of the aircraft, flying with a friend at the time of the incident.
While a definitive cause has not yet been established, investigators are looking into environmental factors. Wind conditions are currently being scrutinized as a potential contributing factor to the plane veering off the runway.
- Location: Jaffrey Airport (Silver Ranch), NH.
- Aircraft: RV-7A (Kit-built, single-engine).
- Casualties: Two men seriously injured (Head and torso).
- Current Status: Airfield reopened; NTSB investigation ongoing.
What Happens Next?
The airfield was temporarily closed to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to examine the wreckage, but it has since resumed operations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now leading the investigation and is expected to release a full report within the next month.
The NTSB is appealing to the public for help. Anyone who witnessed the crash or possesses video footage of the event is urged to contact the board at witness@ntsb.gov to assist in determining exactly what went wrong.
