NORFOLK, Va. — The hum of anticipation for the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show turned somber Thursday when a stunt plane crashed at Langley Air Force Base, killing a beloved pilot just days before the big event. Col. Matthew Altman, commander of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, stepped up to a podium to deliver the grim news, his voice steady but heavy with loss.
The pilot, Rob Holland, a renowned aerobatic performer whose gravity-defying loops thrilled crowds worldwide, was killed when his MXS-RH aircraft went down during a landing attempt around noon on April 24. Holland, a regular at the biennial air show, was prepping for this weekend’s spectacle, set to draw thousands to the skies over Hampton Roads. The crash sent a jolt through the tight-knit aviation community, where Holland was a larger-than-life figure, known for his precision and fearless flair.
Altman didn’t mince words. The base lost “a friend of our Air Force family,” he said, offering condolences to Holland’s loved ones and the wider circle of pilots, crew, and fans reeling from the news. The incident, confirmed by base officials, happened as Holland maneuvered his single-seat plane toward the runway. What went wrong remains unclear—investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are now combing through wreckage and witness accounts to piece it together. The Federal Aviation Administration, also on the case, noted the crash involved only the pilot, with no other injuries reported.
Despite the tragedy, the air show will go on, Altman announced. The decision wasn’t made lightly. The event, a showcase of roaring jets and daring stunts, is a point of pride for the base and the region. Cancelling it, especially after Holland’s death, would’ve felt like letting the accident cast a shadow over the spirit of flight he embodied. Still, the mood at Langley is subdued. A media session with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, slated for Thursday afternoon, was scrapped without explanation, though the timing suggests the crash was the cause.
Investigators are urging anyone with footage or eyewitness details to come forward. The NTSB has set up an email for tips, hoping to reconstruct the moments before the plane hit the ground. Holland’s MXS-RH, a sleek, custom-built aerobatic machine, was designed for the kind of high-stakes maneuvers he was famous for. Whether mechanical failure, human error, or something else played a role is anyone’s guess for now—officials are tight-lipped until the probe yields answers.
The crash comes at a tough time for aviation safety in the U.S., with recent incidents putting a spotlight on the risks of both commercial and stunt flying. Langley, a hub for military and civilian aviation, hasn’t seen a loss like this in recent memory. Holland’s death stings especially hard because of his stature. He wasn’t just a pilot; he was a showman who made planes dance in ways that left jaws on the ground.
As the air show kicks off this weekend, Holland’s absence will be felt. Spectators will still crane their necks to watch the Thunderbirds streak across the sky, but for many, the thrill will carry a pang of grief. The investigation continues, with preliminary findings expected within a month. For now, the base is focused on honoring Holland’s legacy while keeping the show aloft.