Rob's MX Aircraft MXS Was Flying In For This Weekend's Show At Langley AFB

The staff of Aero-News is heartbroken to report that Rob Holland lost his life in an as yet inexplicable landing accident. 

Flying in to Langley Air Force Base, Thursday, Holland was a featured performer for the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow. He had been inbound form Nashville (KBNA) when the flight went awry at 1131ET. Few details have emerged about what occurred in the final moments but they are little more than rumors at the moment... and he deserved better than being the object of rumors. 

The Rob Holland Aerosports Facebook finally provided official confirmation of this passing, stating that, "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 cause of the crash is not known at this time, and is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and DOD.

Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history. Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday. 

We would greatly appreciate your respect to the privacy of his family and friends. 

And remember…. Never ever give up on your dreams."

Holland was flying N530RH -- an all-carbon-fiber MXS-RH, which he began flying in 2011. Rob's MXS-RH is a one-of-a-kind, American designed, single-seat competition and airshow-ready aerobatic airplane, designed and built by MX Aircraft with modifications suggested by Holland himself. The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming AEIO-540 engine generating 380 horsepower and weighing 1200 pounds... providing outstanding vertical performance... as seen by millions all over the world in person and online. 

Holland's record was inspiring... being the winner of twelve consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, Five world Freestyle Aerobatic Championships and the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) prestigious Art Scholl Award for Showmanship, the highest honor any airshow pilot can receive. Best of all, he was an affable, approachable guy who never seemed all that impressed with himself and was often seen shooting the bull with fellow pilots wherever he went. He will be missed... greatly.

ANN will update this story as information is verified and deemed appropriate. We offer our respect, prayers and condolences to his family, friends and all those in the aviation world who came to admire him. 

FMI: https://www.facebook.com/RHaerosports