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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on the fatal plane crash that occurred at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Dutchess County last month. The report suggests that engine failure was the primary cause of the accident that claimed the life of 60-year-old pilot Brian Coughlin.
Coughlin, a longtime volunteer and board member at the aerodrome, was piloting a Fokker D-VIII replica aircraft during an airshow when the incident occurred. According to the NTSB report, a maintenance engineer at the aerodrome noticed a rough sound coming from the plane's engine shortly after take-off. Within minutes, the engine lost total power, and the plane caught fire before crashing into a wooded area.
The aircraft, an experimental amateur-built Fokker D-VIII replica, was one of the many vintage planes showcased at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The aerodrome, known for its extensive collection of antique airplanes, regularly hosts airshows featuring these historic aircraft. Coughlin, a resident of Cazenovia near Syracuse, was a commercial pilot and plane builder who had a long association with the aerodrome.
According to the Times Union, the aircraft Coughlin was piloting was a replica of the Fokker D-VIII, a vintage World War I plane. The original Fokker D-VIII planes were built late in the war and had minimal impact due to the limited number produced. The replica aircraft Coughlin built and piloted used an original 160 HP Gnome, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The NTSB's investigation into the crash is ongoing, and a final report is not expected for several months. The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has canceled its remaining air shows for the season following the tragic incident.