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NTSB Releases Final Report on Rob Holland Accident

50-year-old was one of the top aerobatic pilots in the world.

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NTSB logo and image [Credit: Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The NTSB determined that the 2025 accident killing aerobatic pilot Rob Holland was caused by the failure of a custom counterweight plug, leading to a jammed elevator and loss of control during landing.
  • The failed counterweight plug was part of an adjustable balance tube Holland requested, and the installed plug differed from the manufacturer's design, notably lacking an intended o-ring locking device and specified torque values for installation.
  • Following the accident, the aircraft manufacturer issued a mandatory safety notice for MXS and MX2 airplanes fitted with adjustable balance tubes, instructing owners to fill them with a lead/resin mixture.
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National Transportation Safety Board authorities investigating the 2025 accident that killed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland have determined the failure of a custom counterweight plug resulted in a jammed elevator and subsequent loss of control during landing.

Holland, 50, was one of the top aerobatic pilots in the world. He held an ATP certificate and had more than 15,000 hours of flight experience.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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