Replica WWI Fokker D-VIII Aircraft Caught Fire Before Crashing

RHINEBECK, NY — The Red Hook Police Department said that an initial investigation found that "unknown mechanical issues" caused the engine of a replica of a WWI fighter plane to catch fire and crash, tragically taking the life of the plane's 60-year-old pilot during a weekend airshow.

The plane flying in the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's popular Saturday Air Show went down off the south end of the runway, shortly before 3 p.m. The crash killed the pilot, Brian Coughlin, a longtime Aerodrome volunteer and board member, according to the museum.

See Also: Pilot Killed In Airshow Plane Crash: Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

"The aircraft was a replica of a WWI Fokker D-VIII. Fire EMS, and law enforcement responded to the scene," officials for the antique aircraft museum said in a statement. "We are awaiting their reports. The Federal Aviation Agency has been informed. Until their investigations conclude, we have no further information. We ask all to respect Brian's memory by not speculating about his death."

The New York State Police, the Red Hook Fire Department, the Milan Fire Department, Northern Dutchess Paramedics and the Federal Aviation Administration were all on the scene.

The Sunday airshow at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was canceled.