A privately owned Fokker DR.I replica aircraft crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Aero Estates Airpark (T25) in Frankston, Texas, on the morning of May 26, 2026, killing the sole pilot on board.
The vintage-style triplane, registered as N54517, had departed from Runway 27 at approximately 8:10 a.m. local time when the accident occurred during the initial climb phase. Witness reports and unconfirmed information suggest the aircraft may have suffered a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, prompting the pilot to attempt a return to the runway before the aircraft impacted terrain.
The replica aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash and the post-impact fire. No injuries were reported on the ground.
The airplane was a privately assembled Fokker DR.I replica built from a kit supplied by Airdrome Aeroplanes and powered by a Rotec R3600 radial engine. The aircraft had been manufactured in 2019.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the crash.