Aerobatic pilot dies in crash at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton (2025)

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The pilot of a plane that crashed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton Thursday has died.

Rob Holland, 50, of Rob Holland Aerosports died in the crash, according to his official Facebook page. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the crash happened while the pilot was attempting to land ahead of the Air Power over Hampton Roads air show scheduled for this weekend.

“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 states. “The cause of the crash is not known at this time, and is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and DOD.”

The post noted that Holland “was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history.”

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation.

“On behalf of all Joint Base Langley-Eustis, all the friends and family of the pilot, we just want to offer our deepest, deepest condolences to the family, to the friends, all who loved and respected him,” said Col. Matthew Altman, Joint Base Langley Eustis commander.

According to officials, around 11:50 a.m., an MX Aircraft MXS — a two-seat sport aircraft — crashed while attempting to land at the base.

The pilot was the only person onboard at the time of the incident.

In a statement, Joint Base Langley-Eustis said that “a civilian aircraft crashed at approximately 11:39 a.m. today on Joint Base Langley-Eustis while landing in preparation for the Air Power over Hampton Roads air show scheduled for this weekend.”

Altman talked about what Holland’s flights meant.

“Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family,” Altman said. “On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator.”

Holland was a 13-time, consecutive U.S. national aerobatic champion and a six-time world 4-minute freestyle champion and 14-time U.S. 4-minute freestyle champion. He was celebrating 23 years in the airshow industry in 2025 and had been a pilot since 1992.

Rob Holland (Photo – E3 Aviation Association)

In a statement from the E3 Aviation Association, of which Holland was a member, it expressed its profound sorrow for the loss of what it noted was “an extraordinary pilot, an incredible person and a true hero who inspired countless lives.”

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend, partner, and aviation legend, Rob Holland. On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the world lost an extraordinary pilot, an incredible person, and a true hero who inspired countless lives. While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the tragic plane crash near Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, all of us at E3 and those involved with E3 are deeply shocked and saddened by this devastating loss.

Rob Holland was more than an aerobatic pilot—he was a visionary, a hero to all of us, and an inspiration to many.Born on May 30, 1974, in New England, Rob’s passion for aviation ignited early and burned brightly throughout his life. With over 15,000 flight hours across more than 180 aircraft types, Rob’s skill was matched only by his boundless enthusiasm for flight.

Piloting his custom-built MXS-RH, aerobatic masterpiece designed to his exact specifications, Rob captivated audiences worldwide. His performances were not just displays of skill but expressions of artistry, pushing the boundaries of aerobatics with groundbreaking maneuvers that earned him multiple championship titles and a place among the most decorated pilots in U.S. history.

Rob made the impossible look effortless, igniting passion in all who watched him fly.

Beyond his technical brilliance,Rob was an incredible friend to many and an incredible person.His warmth, generosity, and infectious love for aviation touched everyone he met. He shared his knowledge freely, guiding the next generation of pilots with the same dedication he brought to his craft. To us at E3, Rob was not just a partner but a brother in flight—a man whose vision shaped our shared dreams, and whose heroism inspired us all.

The loss of Rob Holland leaves an unfillable void in the aviation community and in our hearts. Yet, his spirit will continue to soar in every pilot he inspired, every airshow he elevated, and every boundary he pushed. As we mourn this heartbreaking loss, we also celebrate a life lived at full throttle, a legacy that will endure as long as there are wings to take flight.

Our thoughts are with Rob’s family, friends, and all those grieving during this difficult time. We invite you to share your memories of Rob, as we come together to honor a true hero of the skies.

Rest in peace, Rob Holland… The heavens have gained a master of the air.

With deepest sorrow,
The E3 Team

— E3 Aviation Association

Altman said the base’s focus is supporting the investigation as well as Holland’s family, and said that they will have share updates about the scheduled airshow soon.

Air Power Over Hampton Roads returns with thrilling aerial performances and exhibits

“We are working through those discussions. Our team is still postured to support a stem event [Friday] and to support an event this weekend. But we want to be careful to share those details,” Altman said. “We’re talking through what the weekend looks like now, and we’ll be sure to share those details as soon as we have them tomorrow.”

Altman added the crash is under investigation.

“At this time, we are postured to support the NTSB investigation, which will start [Friday],” Altman said.

Altman, during a press briefing Thursday, talked about Holland’s legacy.

“I think I’m one of millions of people who saw this individual fly,” Altman said. “We do airshows to open the base, to bring people on, to inspire future airmen to look up and imagine what can be, and this individual did it better than anybody. So I think myself, everybody on this base, and particularly anybody who wore flight suits and challenged the skies will deeply, deeply miss him.”

10 On Your Side has reporters at the scene and will provide more updates as they come in.

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