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 its preliminary report on the accident that killed award-winning aerobatic pilot Rob Holland, detailing his extensive experience and the aircraft's modifications.
Witnesses described Holland's aircraft making a normal approach before "porpoising" twice, pitching "straight up," rolling, and descending to ground impact.
A key preliminary finding was that the left elevator counterweight plug, which adjusted elevator "feel" and was part of an aerobatic modification, was not installed and showed evidence of contact with the horizontal stabilizer.
The report emphasizes that this information is preliminary, and the probable cause of the accident is still many months away.

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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.