Pilot dies in WW1 plane 80 miles from Manhattan during air show

A aviator flying a World War 1 replica level died astatine an aerial amusement 80 miles from Manhattan erstwhile his Fokker D.VIII caught occurrence over Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome successful upstate New York.

The Red Hook Police Department said New York airman Brian Coughlin, 60, died Saturday aft his plane’s motor appeared to statesman burning during a play aerial show. Coughlin was a longtime Aerodrome unpaid and committee member, according to a connection connected the aviation association’s Facebook page.

The Museum of Flight calls the replica craft Coughlin was flying a recreation of a “highly maneuverable” and formidable German combatant level with wing operation problems that led to crashes erstwhile it was introduced to combat successful 1918.

Coughlin, from Cazenovia, was declared dormant astatine the clang tract astir 3 p.m. The origin of the evident mechanical contented is nether investigation.

At slightest 1 idiosyncratic who witnessed the clang said helium thought it was portion of the show.

Aviation fans who knew Coughlin remembered him fondly, and respective Facebook users said they had the pleasance of speaking to him aft immoderate of his exhibitions. “Brian was a large pilot and his passing volition beryllium a large nonaccomplishment to antique craft owners and pilots,” wrote 1 formation enthusiast.

According to Syracuse.com, Coughlin escaped death erstwhile a replica 1915 Nieuport 11 with its archetypal motor that helium was flying mislaid powerfulness 75 feet successful the air. He clang landed successful a tract much than a mates 1000 feet from wherever he’d taken disconnected and was treated astatine a adjacent hospital. His begetter was besides said to person been an airman who served connected the battleship New Jersey.