Pilot dies in plane crash at Langley Air Force Base just days before air show

Jane Harper, The Virginian-Pilot on Apr 24, 2025

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HAMPTON, Va. — The pilot of a small stunt aircraft was killed Thursday when his plane crashed at Langley Air Force Base just days before he was set to perform at a popular air show.

The name of the pilot won’t officially be released until notification of his family is complete, said Erik Siegel, public affairs specialist for the base. But a post published late Thursday afternoon on the Facebook page of famed aerobatic stunt pilot Rob Holland said he was the pilot who died. Holland, winner of numerous world and national aerobatic championships, flies a custom-built MXS and was one of the pilots scheduled to perform at this weekend’s show.

“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 post said. “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 a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, the crash occurred shortly before noon as the plane was on approach to the base. The aircraft involved was an experimental MX Aircraft MXS, an aerobatic aircraft made of carbon fiber that can have one or two seats.

The annual Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow is scheduled to be held Saturday and Sunday at the base.

An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive at the base Friday morning, according to the agency. Once on site, the investigator will document the scene and examine the aircraft. The plane will then be taken to a secure facility for further evaluation. The NTSB investigation focus on the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.

Witnesses to the accident, or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation, are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

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