Brian Coughlin was a Valued Volunteer and Board Member

On October 5, longtime volunteer and board member Brian Coughlin crashed in his Fokker D-VIII replica. The fatal accident occurred during Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s weekly airshow.

The airshow kicked off at around 2:30 pm. Just 15 minutes later, the aerodrome’s World War I Fokker D-VIII replica crashed into the woods off the south end of the runway. It burst into flames and killed esteemed aerodrome volunteer Brian Coughlin, 60, of Cazenovia, New York.

Dutchess County Emergency Response received multiple calls about the accident, dispatching officers to the site on Norton Road just before 3:00 pm. Firefighters from the Red Hook and Milan Fire Departments responded and were able to extinguish the fire within an hour. However, the Red Hook Police Department soon after confirmed Coughlin's death.

“Though I only knew Brian through passing conversations at the Aerodrome during my yearly visits, he was always friendly and said hello,” commented Corey Beitler, a witness of the event, on social media. “I know he was a dedicated Board Member, volunteer, and pilot at the museum and was a major advocate for some of the additions to the aircraft collection and improvements to the infrastructure at the museum the last few years. I hope the Aerodrome can continue his legacy of leadership and volunteerism and passion for antique aircraft in the years ahead.”

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has since canceled its weekly Saturday Night Shoot and Sunday airshow events.

This marks the aerodrome’s second plane crash this year. During the July 28 airshow, a mid-air collision forced one plane to crash nearby, with the other able to return to the runway safely. An aircraft involved was reportedly one of only two 2T-1E biplanes still airworthy. No injuries were reported.

“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 Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome commented in a statement.

FMI: www.oldrhinebeck.org