RHINEBECK – The pilot of an airplane from the Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome escaped injury when his replica bi-plane crashed at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Saturday afternoon.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said about 3:10 p.m., an Auro504K replica bi-plane piloted by William Gordan, 50, of Ancramdale, had just taken off in a northbound direction from the runway at the Aerodrome.

When the plane was at an altitude of about 300 feet, the pilot experienced engine trouble and the engine stalled. The plane then crashed into a swamp on the Aerodrome property. The force of the crash collapsed both top wings of the plane and damaged both of the under winds.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by members of the Rhinebeck Fire Department and Northern Dutchess paramedics. The FAA was notified of the incident and will complete the investigation into the cause of the crash.