NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Holland Accident

Agency collecting and analyzing evidence from crash.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, May 02, 2025 at 05:25 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Aerobatic performer Rob Holland dominated the Unlimited Power category in his MX Aircraft MXS. [Credit: Gary Schenaman]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB has released a preliminary report on the April 24 accident that killed award-winning aerobatic pilot Rob Holland during a landing attempt.
Witnesses described the aircraft making a normal approach, then porpoising twice, pitching "straight up," rolling 90 degrees left, and descending to ground impact.
A key finding from the wreckage inspection was that the left elevator counterweight plug, part of a custom modification to adjust elevator feel, was not installed at the time of the accident.
Evidence, including dirt contamination on the plug and elevator, and dents/scrapes on the horizontal stabilizer, suggests the missing plug made contact with the aircraft structure.

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The preliminary report on the accident that killed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

On April 24 Holland, an award-winning aerobatic pilot, was flying his performance aircraft, an MX Aircraft tech PTY LTD MXS from Smyrna Airport (KMQY) in Tennessee, and was destined for Langley Air Force Base (KLF) in Hampton, Virginia, to perform in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow scheduled for the following weekend. The show went on as scheduled, with a moment of silence to honor Holland.