Jaffrey, NH (May 22, 2026) – Two people were seriously injured when a small plane veered off the runway and flipped onto its roof at Jaffrey Airport around noon Thursday. The pilot had been attempting to land when the plane left the runway. Wind has been suggested as a possible factor, though this has not been confirmed.
Both people on board were taken to a hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, for treatment. The plane was registered to a New York man, but the identities of those on board had not been released at the time of this report. The aircraft flew out of the Albany, New York area and was not on a training flight.
The airfield was closed following the accident while the wreckage was examined, but it reopened Thursday evening.
Those responsible for determining the cause are continuing their review of what led to the crash. We hope both people hurt in this collision make a full and complete recovery.
What Typically Happens After a Small Plane Goes Off a Runway at a General Aviation Airport?
Runway excursions, when an aircraft veers off the side or end of a runway, are among the more common types of accidents at small general aviation airports. They can happen during landing or takeoff and may involve a range of factors, including crosswinds, brake performance, runway length, or pilot inputs. When a plane flips during one of these events, the risk of serious injury rises significantly, since the aircraft structure absorbs force from multiple directions. Small airports typically have emergency protocols in place, though the resources available on-site vary widely compared to larger commercial facilities. After a runway excursion, the airfield is usually closed until the wreckage is cleared and an initial safety review is complete. Federal aviation officials generally take the lead in examining what went wrong.
