Latest news with #U.S.NationalAerobaticChampionships
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stunt pilot Rob Holland killed in plane crash before air show
Famed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland has died after a plane crash at the Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. His death on Thursday was announced in a statement on his official Facebook page. Mr Holland, 50, was due to perform this weekend at Air Power Over Hampton Roads, a popular air show at the Virginia base. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it was investigating the crash of the experimental MX Aircraft MXS. Mr. Holland previously piloted the carbon-fibre, custom-built MXS-RH, a single-seater aircraft made by the same Australian company whose experimental plane crashed. He was approaching the runway "for a normal landing" when the crash happened, NTSB's lead investigator Dan Boggs said at a news conference on Friday. "There was no acrobatic (sic) manoeuvres or nothing planned at that time." Jim Bourke, president of the International Aerobatic Club, said Mr Holland "revolutionized our sport, not just within the USA but on the world stage, arriving on the aerobatic competition scene like a wrecking ball laying waste to everyone who challenged him". John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows, told the Associated Press, Mr Holland "demonstrated what the end of the road for a pursuit of excellence looks like". He performed at the 2023 edition of the biennial air show at the base and won several competitions for his daring stunts in the cockpit. He won the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships a record 13 consecutive times with his last win being in 2024. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Art Scholl Award, which is presented by the International Council of Air Shows. His website details a list of his 2025 appearances, including airshows in Chicago, Milwaukee and Gold Coast, Australia. Mr Holland was from New Hampshire and was a teenager when he first qualified as a pilot, according to his website. He also studied aviation at a now-defunct New Hampshire college. "Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday," the Facebook statement said. The air show this weekend is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors, the air base said a day before the crash.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rob Holland: Stunt pilot killed in plane crash
Famed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland has died after a plane crash at the Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, death on Thursday was announced in a statement on his official Facebook Holland, 50, was due to perform this weekend at Air Power Over Hampton Roads, a popular air show at the Virginia National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it was investigating the crash of the experimental MX Aircraft MXS. Mr. Holland previously piloted the carbon-fibre, custom-built MXS-RH, a single-seater aircraft made by the same Australian company whose experimental plane was approaching the runway "for a normal landing" when the crash happened, NTSB's lead investigator Dan Boggs said at a news conference on Friday. "There was no acrobatic (sic) manoeuvres or nothing planned at that time."Jim Bourke, president of the International Aerobatic Club, said Mr Holland "revolutionized our sport, not just within the USA but on the world stage, arriving on the aerobatic competition scene like a wrecking ball laying waste to everyone who challenged him".John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows, told the Associated Press, Mr Holland "demonstrated what the end of the road for a pursuit of excellence looks like".He performed at the 2023 edition of the biennial air show at the base and won several competitions for his daring stunts in the cockpit. He won the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships a record 13 consecutive times with his last win being in 2024. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Art Scholl Award, which is presented by the International Council of Air website details a list of his 2025 appearances, including airshows in Chicago, Milwaukee and Gold Coast, Holland was from New Hampshire and was a teenager when he first qualified as a pilot, according to his website. He also studied aviation at a now-defunct New Hampshire college."Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday," the Facebook statement air show this weekend is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors, the air base said a day before the crash.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Famed stunt pilot Rob Holland dies in plane crash days before airshow
Airshow pilot Rob Holland, 50, died in a plane crash Thursday at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, according to authorities and his social media accounts. The flyer was scheduled to perform Saturday and Sunday in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow. An MX Aircraft MXS crashed Thursday morning while attempting to land at the base in Hampton, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a preliminary statement. Only the pilot was on board. Although the FAA did not identify the victim, Rob Holland Aerosports confirmed it was Holland on Facebook. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA," the social media post said. Rob Holland Aerosports did not respond to request for additional comment Friday. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. The plane was descending for a routine landing and not performing any acrobatic maneuvers when it crashed, NTSB air safety investigator Dan Boggs said. Although NTSB and Air Force officials did not identify Holland as the victim, Boggs did offer condolences to the family and friends of the "well-known pilot." "The world of aviation has truly lost a legend, a hero and even more so, a great human being," Col. Matthew Altman said at Friday's news conference. Holland was an award-winning airshow performer with a career spanning two decades. He held a record 12 consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships and was the defending, five-time World Freestyle Aerobatic Champion, his biography said. He was bestowed the highest honor among airshow pilots, the Art Scholl Award for Showmanship, in 2012 by the International Council of Airshows. A native of New England, Holland's website states he first obtained his pilot's license and started flying acrobatics as a teenager. He graduated from Daniel Webster College in 1997 with degrees in aviation/airway management and aviation flight operations. Holland spent more than 15,000 hours in the air in more than 180 types of aircraft. "One of my goals is to take aerobatics to the next level," Holland was quoted saying on his website. "I want to push the limits of what can be done." Holland flew an MXS-RH aircraft in performances, described as a "state-of- the-art aerobatic masterpiece" on his website. The plane was built by MX aircraft in North Carolina with Holland's suggested design modifications, including a cockpit laid out to his exact specifications. Altman said the base is proceeding with the airshow, after consulting with the NTSB. "We do hope that it is also a tribute to his legacy and really his wizardry in the air," Altman said. This article was originally published on
NBC News
25-04-2025
- General
- NBC News
Famed stunt pilot Rob Holland dies in plane crash days before airshow
Airshow pilot Rob Holland, 50, died in a plane crash Thursday at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, according to authorities and his social media accounts. The flyer was scheduled to perform Saturday and Sunday in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow. An MX Aircraft MXS crashed Thursday morning while attempting to land at the base in Hampton, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a preliminary statement. Only the pilot was on board. Although the FAA did not identify the victim, Rob Holland Aerosports confirmed it was Holland on Facebook. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA," the social media post said. Rob Holland Aerosports did not respond to request for additional comment Friday. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. The plane was descending for a routine landing and not performing any acrobatic maneuvers when it crashed, NTSB air safety investigator Dan Boggs said. Although NTSB and Air Force officials did not identify Holland as the victim, Boggs did offer condolences to the family and friends of the "well-known pilot." "The world of aviation has truly lost a legend, a hero and even more so, a great human being," Col. Matthew Altman said at Friday's news conference. Holland was an award-winning airshow performer with a career spanning two decades. He held a record 12 consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships and was the defending, five-time World Freestyle Aerobatic Champion, his biography said. He was bestowed the highest honor among airshow pilots, the Art Scholl Award for Showmanship, in 2012 by the International Council of Airshows. A native of New England, Holland's website states he first obtained his pilot's license and started flying acrobatics as a teenager. He graduated from Daniel Webster College in 1997 with degrees in aviation/airway management and aviation flight operations. Holland spent more than 15,000 hours in the air in more than 180 types of aircraft. "One of my goals is to take aerobatics to the next level," Holland was quoted saying on his website. "I want to push the limits of what can be done." Holland flew an MXS-RH aircraft in performances, described as a "state-of- the-art aerobatic masterpiece" on his website. The plane was built by MX aircraft in North Carolina with Holland's suggested design modifications, including a cockpit laid out to his exact specifications. Altman said the base is proceeding with the airshow, after consulting with the NTSB. "We do hope that it is also a tribute to his legacy and really his wizardry in the air," Altman said.
American Military News
25-04-2025
- General
- American Military News
Pilot killed in ‘experimental' plane crash at Langley Air Force Base
An investigation is underway after an aerobatic pilot was killed in an 'experimental' aircraft crash at Joint Base Langley-Eustis on Thursday. A Facebook statement released on Rob Holand Aerosports page identified Rob Holand as the aerobatic pilot killed in Thursday's crash at Langley Air Force Base. The New York Post reported that the crash involving Holland's 'experimental' MX Aircraft MXS occurred just prior to noon on Thursday while the pilot was attempting to land at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA,' Rob Holand Aerosports stated in Thursday's Facebook post. 'The cause of the crash is not known at this time, and is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and DOD.' The Facebook statement added, 'Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history. Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday.' According to Fox News, Holland had 12 consecutive wins at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships and five wins at the Freestyle Aerobatic Championships. The outlet noted that Holland also received the International Council of Airshows' Art Scholl Award for Showmanship. READ MORE: Video: 6 killed in helicopter crash in Hudson River According to Holland's website, the aerobatic pilot was expected to participate on Saturday and Sunday in the Hampton Roads airshow at Joint Base Langely-Eustis prior to Thursday's fatal crash. 'Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family,' Col. Matthew Altman, commander of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, said in a statement obtained by Military Times. 'On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator.' According to Fox News, Langley Air Force Base officials confirmed that Thursday's incident is 'currently under investigation,' adding, 'The safety and security of our personnel and the local community are our top priorities.' The National Transportation Safety Board also released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, confirming that the agency was 'investigating the crash of an experimental MX Aircraft MXS.'
