NTSB Factual Report

On March 31, 2002, about 1030 eastern standard time, a Maule M-5-180C, N711JR, was substantially damaged while landing at the William H. Morse State Airport (DDH), Bennington, Vermont. The certificated private pilot sustained a serious injury, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Mount Snow Airport, West Dover, Vermont. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he entered the traffic pattern for runway 31, a 3,704 foot-long, 75 foot-wide, asphalt runway. He observed the airport's wind sock, which indicated a 90 degree left crosswind, at an estimated speed of 10 miles per hour. After a normal touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the drift; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and flipped over.

The pilot reported he had purchased the airplane "less than a month" prior to the accident and had accumulated about 27 hours in make and model. He further stated he did not experience any mechanical problems.

Winds reported at DDH, at 1054, were from 20 degrees at 6 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.