Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during the pilot's initial flight in the experimental replica, which had been manufactured in 2019. According to witness accounts, the takeoff appeared normal but the climb performance was poor, leading the pilot to remain at or below 400 feet AGL throughout the traffic pattern. After a low pass over the runway and a subsequent slow turn, the aircraft reappeared over trees, pitched up, and entered an aerodynamic stall. A doorbell camera captured the engine sound, which remained consistent until a significant decrease was noted just prior to impact. Investigators found the throttle and mixture levers in the full forward position in the cockpit, yet the throttle slide at the injector was fully closed. The throttle cable's threaded rod end was found fractured, and the mixture cable was found separated at the throttle body. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire that consumed most of the fuselage and cockpit. Post-accident engine examination showed that the engine remained intact; seven of the nine cylinders produced suction and compression when the propeller was rotated, while the remaining two had open valves due to push rod damage. One wooden propeller blade was shattered by impact, while the other remained attached with minimal damage, suggesting the engine was capable of producing power despite the linkage failure.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB investigation is ongoing. As of the preliminary report, investigators have documented mechanical anomalies in the throttle control linkage, specifically a fractured rod end and a closed throttle slide despite full-forward cockpit lever positions. No final determination of cause has been issued.
Video Analysis
Pilot killed in crash of World War I-style aircraft near East Texas airstrip — Local news coverage of the fatal Fokker DR.I replica crash at Aero Estates Airpark in Henderson County, Texas.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Throttle Control System
Consists of a Bowden cable with a twisted inner wire and spiral outer sheath; a fractured rod end was found at the connection to the throttle lever.
Throttle Body Injector (TBI)
The TBI was found separated from the engine with the throttle slide in a fully closed position, which would restrict airflow and power.
Interesting Facts
- 01The flight was the pilot's first time flying this specific experimental aircraft.
- 02The aircraft was a replica of a World War I Fokker DR.I triplane, manufactured in 2019 with Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 001.
- 03Post-impact fire destroyed the majority of the fuselage and cockpit.
- 04The throttle cable threaded rod end was found fractured during the wreckage examination.
- 05The throttle slide was found in the fully closed position, despite the cockpit lever being full forward.
- 06Engine examination confirmed suction and compression in seven of nine cylinders, with the remaining two affected by push rod damage.