The pilot of a small experimental aircraft is being treated for what appear to be minor injuries after his plane crashed while landing at a local airport near Laurel this afternoon.

The pilot is identified as Matthew M. Jurotich, 65, of the 11000-block of Frost Drive, Bowie, Md.  He was transported by ambulance to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center as a precaution due to the force of the impact and for treatment of what appear to be minor injuries.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. today, troopers from the Glen Burnie Barracks were dispatched to a reported plane crash at the Suburban Airport, in the 500-block of Brock Bridge Road, Laurel, Md.  When troopers arrived, they found a single-engine plane that was flipped upside down on the airstrip.  Fire and rescue personnel were working to extricate the trapped pilot from the plane.  After he was freed, the pilot was talking and walking around before being taken to the hospital.  The pilot was the only occupant of the plane.  The plane did not catch fire.

The cause of the crash is not known at this time.  The preliminary investigation indicates the pilot was landing at the airport when something caused the plane to nose down and overturn.  It is possible the nose gear buckled during the landing, although this has not been confirmed.  Federal aviation officials have been notified and are expected to conduct an investigation.

It is not known where the pilot was coming from, or how long he has been a pilot.  The investigation is continuing.