Latest news with #AirPowerOverHamptonRoads
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Modified part cited in preliminary report of Nashua stunt pilot's crash
The plane crash in Virginia that killed a famous stunt pilot from Nashua last month may have started with a modified part, a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board shows. Award-winning aerobatic pilot Rob Holland was killed April 24 when his plane crashed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. Rob Holland Rob Holland NTSB Preliminary Report Holland, 50, was flying his customized single-seat MX Aircraft MXS stunt plane when he crashed on approach to the runway at Langley at 11:35 a.m. after flying from Smyrna, Tennessee. Holland was scheduled to perform at the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show at Langley. According to NTSB's preliminary report, multiple witnesses reported seeing the airplane on approach to land on runway 8 at Langley. When it was over the end of the runway, the plane leveled off at about 50 feet and flew straight down the runway for several hundred feet. 'The airplane then 'porpoised' twice, pitched 'straight up,' rolled (90 degrees) to the left and descended to ground impact,' the report says. A porpoise refers to a series of up-and-down oscillations resembling the jumps and dives of an actual porpoise. The airplane came to rest in a grass ditch about 100 feet from the left side of the runway and 500 feet beyond the approach threshold. According to NTSB's preliminary report, a component of the aircraft — "the left elevator counterweight plug" — was not installed. NTSB crash report Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have released a preliminary report on the plane crash that killed Rob Holland of Nashua, which focuses on a special modification made to the airplane's controls. The report says one of two small aluminum plugs in the elevator control of Holland's MXS plane was 'not installed' and found 10 feet behind the main wreckage. The report says Holland worked with the plane's manufacturer on modifications to the aircraft, including creating access holes on the left and right elevators where counterweights could be inserted or removed to adjust the elevator feel depending on the routine Holland intended to perform. The elevators are hinged flaps on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizers that control the plane's pitch up and down. The counterweights would be secured by a threaded aluminum plug screwed into the hole. The left elevator counterweight plug was located in the grass about 10 feet behind the wreckage, investigators said. The plug displayed gouging and "evidence of paint transfer," the report says, with corresponding marks being found on the plane's adjacent horizontal stabilizer. The report mentions investigators finding aircraft, engine, and propeller damage consistent with a functioning engine, a propeller that was rotating and spinning upon impact. The aircraft's most recent condition inspection was conducted on March 3, the report says. NTSB's preliminary report does not suggest a probable cause of the crash, and the accident remains under investigation. A final report is expected to be completed and released in 2026 or early 2027. Holland had been a licensed pilot since 1992, holding an airline transport pilot certificate with a variety of other ratings. He also held flight instructor and ground instructor certificates. Holland, a Daniel Webster College graduate, reported 15,387 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA second-class medical certificate, which was issued on March 5. Holland was the 2008 World Advanced Aerobatic Champion, a 10-time U.S. Aerobatic Team member, and 14-time U.S. 4-minute Freestyle Champion, according to his website, which also described him earning his private pilot certificate as a teenager. He developed his aerobatic skills while building time towing banners, ferrying aircraft, and as a corporate pilot and flight instructor, the site said. pfeely@
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Famed pilot's plane ‘porpoised,' rolled before fatal crash at Langley Air Force Base
HAMPTON — Famed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland's plane appeared to be making a normal approach to Langley Air Force Base last week until it reached the end of the runway, according to a preliminary report issued Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board. As Holland's custom built, single-seat MX Aircraft MXS approached, it leveled off about 50 feet above the runway, then flew straight down the runway for several hundred feet, the report said. The airplane then 'porpoised,' pitched straight up, and rolled 90 degrees to the left before crashing into a grassy ditch about 100 feet from the runway. A porpoise landing is a bounced landing that, if not recovered by the pilot, results in a plane touching down nose first. If not corrected, the plane will go into a series of nose ups and nose downs, like a real porpoise leaping in and out of the water. The 5-page report said Holland's plane porpoised twice. The 50-year-old national aerobatic champion was flying to Joint-Base Langley-Eustis on April 24 to prepare for his performance in the base's Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show in a couple of days. Holland flew to the base from Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, according to the NTSB. The crash at Langley occurred about 11:35 a.m. NTSB preliminary accident investigation reports focus on factual information gathered at the scene, and are issued about one to two weeks after the accident. Preliminary reports don't provide a determination of probable cause of an accident. That information is included in the final report, which can take a year or more to complete. The preliminary report in Holland's case said he worked with the manufacturer of his aircraft to modify it to his specifications. All the plane's major components were accounted for at the site, the report said, and its most recent condition inspection was completed March 3. Jane Harper,
CNN
03-05-2025
- General
- CNN
Investigators focus on modified part in crash of airshow pilot at Langley Air Force Base
Investigators probing last week's crash that killed champion aerobatic pilot Rob Holland as he attempted to land at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia are focused on a part of a special modification to his airplane's controls. The new findings published by the National Transportation Safety Board on Friday said one of two small threaded aluminum plugs in the elevator control of Holland's MXS aerobatic plane was 'not installed' and found 10 feet behind the main wreckage. The new detail is a part of a preliminary report, which does not find a probable cause of the crash. Notably, Friday's report was published in just eight days and not 30, as is typical for preliminary NTSB findings. The agency's final report is still expected to be published sometime in 2026 or early 2027. Holland, 50, was arriving from Tennessee to perform in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show. The NTSB found 'the airplane made a normal approach to the runway' and leveled off above the runway at an altitude of about 50 feet. Witnesses told investigators the plane then 'porpoised' twice, then 'pitched 'straight up,' rolled 90° to the left and descended to ground impact.' Holland was the only person on board the single-seat plane, which came to rest to the left of the runway. The plane did not catch fire. The report noted Holland 'collaborated with the manufacturer to modify the airplane to his specifications,' which included a threaded aluminum plug on each side of the exterior of the elevator control, the movable fin on the tail of the plane that controls the up and down movement of the nose. The plug could be unscrewed to reveal 'an access hole on the left and right elevator to insert counterweights to adjust elevator feel depending on the aerobatic routine performed.' The NTSB found not only was the plug from the left side of the elevator control found away from the main wreckage but it was dented and scraped, signs of contact with the rest of the plane's horizontal tail, the report said. The NTSB did not say what if any effect the missing part could have on Holland's ability to control his plane. Friday's report marks the first significant findings since the crash that killed one of America's most decorated pilots in the niche sport of competitive aerobatic flying. Holland was the reigning U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, a title he won a record 13 times, and often performed maneuvers he invented himself to air show crowds across North America and to worldwide acclaim. Holland's death stunned the aviation world with memorials flooding social media as news of his death spread. This week the world air sports federation, which oversees and certifies titles earned by pilots at international flying competitions, called Holland 'an all-time great aerobatic pilot.' 'He was committed to improving his sport, and all air sports, for generations to come,' said Fédération Aéronautique Internationale President Greg Principato. 'His influence will be missed by as all. And I will miss his friendship.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Investigators focus on modified part in crash of airshow pilot at Langley Air Force Base
Investigators probing last week's crash that killed champion aerobatic pilot Rob Holland as he attempted to land at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia are focused on a part of a special modification to his airplane's controls. The new findings published by the National Transportation Safety Board on Friday said one of two small threaded aluminum plugs in the elevator control of Holland's MXS aerobatic plane was 'not installed' and found 10 feet behind the main wreckage. The new detail is a part of a preliminary report, which does not find a probable cause of the crash. Notably, Friday's report was published in just eight days and not 30, as is typical for preliminary NTSB findings. The agency's final report is still expected to be published sometime in 2026 or early 2027. Holland, 50, was arriving from Tennessee to perform in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show. The NTSB found 'the airplane made a normal approach to the runway' and leveled off above the runway at an altitude of about 50 feet. Witnesses told investigators the plane then 'porpoised' twice, then 'pitched 'straight up,' rolled 90° to the left and descended to ground impact.' Holland was the only person on board the single-seat plane, which came to rest to the left of the runway. The plane did not catch fire. The report noted Holland 'collaborated with the manufacturer to modify the airplane to his specifications,' which included a threaded aluminum plug on each side of the exterior of the elevator control, the movable fin on the tail of the plane that controls the up and down movement of the nose. The plug could be unscrewed to reveal 'an access hole on the left and right elevator to insert counterweights to adjust elevator feel depending on the aerobatic routine performed.' The NTSB found not only was the plug from the left side of the elevator control found away from the main wreckage but it was dented and scraped, signs of contact with the rest of the plane's horizontal tail, the report said. The NTSB did not say what if any effect the missing part could have on Holland's ability to control his plane. Friday's report marks the first significant findings since the crash that killed one of America's most decorated pilots in the niche sport of competitive aerobatic flying. Holland was the reigning U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, a title he won a record 13 times, and often performed maneuvers he invented himself to air show crowds across North America and to worldwide acclaim. Holland's death stunned the aviation world with memorials flooding social media as news of his death spread. This week the world air sports federation, which oversees and certifies titles earned by pilots at international flying competitions, called Holland 'an all-time great aerobatic pilot.' 'He was committed to improving his sport, and all air sports, for generations to come,' said Fédération Aéronautique Internationale President Greg Principato. 'His influence will be missed by as all. And I will miss his friendship.'
CNN
02-05-2025
- General
- CNN
Investigators focus on modified part in crash of airshow pilot at Langley Air Force Base
Investigators probing last week's crash that killed champion aerobatic pilot Rob Holland as he attempted to land at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia are focused on a part of a special modification to his airplane's controls. The new findings published by the National Transportation Safety Board on Friday said one of two small threaded aluminum plugs in the elevator control of Holland's MXS aerobatic plane was 'not installed' and found 10 feet behind the main wreckage. The new detail is a part of a preliminary report, which does not find a probable cause of the crash. Notably, Friday's report was published in just eight days and not 30, as is typical for preliminary NTSB findings. The agency's final report is still expected to be published sometime in 2026 or early 2027. Holland, 50, was arriving from Tennessee to perform in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show. The NTSB found 'the airplane made a normal approach to the runway' and leveled off above the runway at an altitude of about 50 feet. Witnesses told investigators the plane then 'porpoised' twice, then 'pitched 'straight up,' rolled 90° to the left and descended to ground impact.' Holland was the only person on board the single-seat plane, which came to rest to the left of the runway. The plane did not catch fire. The report noted Holland 'collaborated with the manufacturer to modify the airplane to his specifications,' which included a threaded aluminum plug on each side of the exterior of the elevator control, the movable fin on the tail of the plane that controls the up and down movement of the nose. The plug could be unscrewed to reveal 'an access hole on the left and right elevator to insert counterweights to adjust elevator feel depending on the aerobatic routine performed.' The NTSB found not only was the plug from the left side of the elevator control found away from the main wreckage but it was dented and scraped, signs of contact with the rest of the plane's horizontal tail, the report said. The NTSB did not say what if any effect the missing part could have on Holland's ability to control his plane. Friday's report marks the first significant findings since the crash that killed one of America's most decorated pilots in the niche sport of competitive aerobatic flying. Holland was the reigning U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, a title he won a record 13 times, and often performed maneuvers he invented himself to air show crowds across North America and to worldwide acclaim. Holland's death stunned the aviation world with memorials flooding social media as news of his death spread. This week the world air sports federation, which oversees and certifies titles earned by pilots at international flying competitions, called Holland 'an all-time great aerobatic pilot.' 'He was committed to improving his sport, and all air sports, for generations to come,' said Fédération Aéronautique Internationale President Greg Principato. 'His influence will be missed by as all. And I will miss his friendship.'
