Stunt pilot Rob Holland dies in plane crash at Langley Air Force Base
"Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history," the announcement on his Facebook page said. "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."
Holland was on approach to the air base when the crash took place, the National Transportation Safety Board said, according to CBS affiliate WTKR. The NTSB described the plane as an "experimental MX Aircraft MXS" in a post on social media. The NTSB, the Federal Aviation of Administration and the Department of Defense will investigate the accident, WTKR said, with investigators expected to arrive at the base on Friday.
"Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family," said Col. Matthew Altman, Joint Base Langley-Eustis commander, in a news conference after the crash, according to WKTR. "On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator."
Langley Air Force Base told WTKR that the crash was related to the upcoming Air Power Over Hampton Roads Air Show. Holland was expected to fly during the biennial event, according to its website. The show is expected to take place as scheduled on April 26 and 27, WTKR reported.
Holland qualified for his pilot license as a teenager and went on to become a legend in his field, earning 37 international competition medals during his career as an airshow performer and freestyle acrobatic competition pilot, according to his website.
Holland flew a "one-of-a-kind, all carbon-fiber" custom-built MXS-RH single-seat airplane, according to his website. The aircraft included design modifications suggested by Holland and was able to perform unique airshow maneuvers.
The Langley Air Force Base is in Hampton, Virginia.
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