Aerobatic pilot, New Hampshire native Rob Holland killed in plane crash in Virginia
Updated: 6:51 AM EDT Apr 25, 2025
INSPIRING PILOT WITH AN INCREDIBLE SET OF SKILLS. WE LOST A GREAT FRIEND TO THE AIR FORCE AND AN AIRMAN AND A LEGEND OF AIRPOWER. PEOPLE IN THE AVIATION WORLD ARE SHOCKED AND SADDENED BY THE TRAGIC DEATH OF AEROBATIC PILOT ROB HOLLAND. I WANT TO OFFER OUR DEEPEST, DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, THE FRIENDS, ALL WHO LOVED AND RESPECTED HIM. THE FAA SAYS HOLLAND’S PLANE WAS TRYING TO LAND JUST BEFORE NOON THURSDAY AT LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE IN HAMPTON, VIRGINIA, WHEN IT CRASHED. HOLLAND WAS PLANNING TO FLY IN AN AIRSHOW THERE THIS WEEKEND. WE DO AIR SHOWS TO OPEN THE BASE TO BRING PEOPLE ON, TO INSPIRE FUTURE AIRMEN TO LOOK UP AND IMAGINE WHAT CAN BE. AND THIS INDIVIDUAL DID IT BETTER THAN ANYBODY. SO I THINK MYSELF, EVERYBODY ON THIS BASE, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE FOLKS WHO WEAR FLIGHT SUITS AND CHALLENGE THE SKIES, WILL DEEPLY, DEEPLY MISS HIM. HOLLAND PERFORMED AT THE THUNDER OVER NEW HAMPSHIRE AIR SHOWS IN PORTSMOUTH IN 2021 AND 2023. HE WON 37 MEDALS IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND WAS A 13 TIME U.S. NATIONAL AEROBATIC CHAMPION. E AVIATION ASSOCIATION POSTED A STATEMENT ON ITS WEBSITE SAYING IN PART, QUOTE, ROB HOLLAND WAS MORE THAN AN AEROBATIC PILOT. HE WAS A VISIONARY, A HERO TO ALL OF US AND AN INSPIRATION TO MANY. NOW AUTHORITIES ARE WORKING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED HIS PLANE TO CRASH. OF COURSE, AS WE LEARN MORE INFORMATION ON THAT, WE’LL BE SURE TO
An aerobatic pilot from New Hampshire was killed in a plane crash at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Granite State native Rob Holland died in a crash Thursday, according to a post on his Facebook page. Holland performed at the Thunder over New Hampshire Air Shows in 2021 and 2023, according to a post from Portsmouth International at Pease.”We lost a great friend to the air force and an airman and a legend of airpower,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Matt Altman.The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was attempting to land before noon and the pilot was the only person aboard. Altman said Holland was planning to fly in airshow in Virginia this weekend.”We do air shows to open the base to bring people on to inspire future airmen to look up and imagine what can be and this individual did it better than anybody, so I think myself, everyone on this base, and particularly those folks to wear flight suits and challenge the skies will deeply, deeply miss him,” Altman said during a news conference.Holland was a six-time world aerobatic freestyle champion and 13-time U.S. national aerobatic champion. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“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,” the post on Rob Holland Aerosports said.Portsmouth International at Pease said in a post, “His performances left a lasting impression on everyone who had the chance to watch him fly, and his presence will certainly be missed…Our thoughts are with Rob’s family, friends, and the aviation community during this difficult time.”The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
HAMPTON, Va. —An aerobatic pilot from New Hampshire was killed in a plane crash at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
Granite State native Rob Holland died in a crash Thursday, according to a post on his Facebook page. Holland performed at the Thunder over New Hampshire Air Shows in 2021 and 2023, according to a post from Portsmouth International at Pease.
“We lost a great friend to the air force and an airman and a legend of airpower,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Matt Altman.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was attempting to land before noon and the pilot was the only person aboard. Altman said Holland was planning to fly in airshow in Virginia this weekend.
“We do air shows to open the base to bring people on to inspire future airmen to look up and imagine what can be and this individual did it better than anybody, so I think myself, everyone on this base, and particularly those folks to wear flight suits and challenge the skies will deeply, deeply miss him,” Altman said during a news conference.
Holland was a six-time world aerobatic freestyle champion and 13-time U.S. national aerobatic champion.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“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,” the post on Rob Holland Aerosports said.
Portsmouth International at Pease said in a post, “His performances left a lasting impression on everyone who had the chance to watch him fly, and his presence will certainly be missed…Our thoughts are with Rob’s family, friends, and the aviation community during this difficult time.”
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
