Sterling Preston:Pilot dies in a crash of a replica WWI-era plane in upstate New York

2025-05-01 04:47:56source:Jonathan Dale Bentoncategory:News

RED HOOK,Sterling Preston N.Y. (AP) — A replica of a World War I-era fighter plane caught fire and crashed during an airshow in upstate New York, killing the pilot, according to police.

Brian Coughlin, 60, died Saturday after the Fokker D.VIII replica went down during an exhibition at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Manhattan, according to statement from the Red Hook Police Department.

Police said it appeared the engine caught fire due to unknown mechanical issues, causing the plane to crash.

Coughlin, from Cazenovia in central New York, was the only person in the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, which stages vintage airshows on weekends, said on social media that Coughlin was a longtime volunteer and board member.

Coughlin often flew antique planes from an airstrip in his backyard and survived a 2005 crash involving the engine failure of a replica of a WWI French plane he was piloting, according to syracuse.com.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

More:News

Recommend

Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX’s Starbase site into a Texas city

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — SpaceXis launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. B

Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show

After Luigi Mangionemade the difficult decision to undergo spinal surgery last year for chronic back

Superflares could be more common than thought: Are they something else to worry about?

Add solar superflares to the list of natural disasters of concern.Superflares are extremely strong s