Rob Holland, Aerobatic Pilot, Dies in Crash at Langley Air Force Base

U.S.|Rob Holland, Aerobatic Pilot, Dies in Crash at Langley Air Force Base

Rob Holland, a well-known aerobatic pilot, died on Thursday when his custom-built carbon fiber plane crashed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where he had been preparing to fly in an air show this weekend, according to a statement on his Facebook page.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that the plane, an MXS model built by the MX Aircraft Company, crashed while trying to land at Langley at around 11:50 a.m. The F.A.A. and the National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the cause of the accident.

The federal agencies did not identify the pilot, who was the only person in the plane. But the statement on Mr. Holland’s Facebook page confirmed that it was him.

A professional air show and aerobatic pilot for more than 20 years, Mr. Holland was a 13-time U.S. national aerobatic champion, a six-time world four-minute freestyle champion and the 2015 World Air Games freestyle gold medalist, according to his website.

Mr. Holland had been planning to fly this weekend in Air Power Over Hampton Roads, an air show at Langley, according to the event’s website The show, which also features military jets such as the F-22 Raptor, attracts thousands of spectators.

Langley confirmed a crash had occurred but did not immediately release further information.

An N.T.S.B. investigator was expected to arrive at Langley on Friday morning, the agency said. The investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The plane will then be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation, the board said.