Aerobatic pilot, New Hampshire native Rob Holland killed in plane crash in Virginia
Updated: 7:50 PM EDT Apr 24, 2025
An acrobatic 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.The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was attempting to land before noon and the pilot was the only one aboard. 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 will investigate.
HAMPTON, Va. —An acrobatic 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.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was attempting to land before noon and the pilot was the only one aboard.
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 will investigate.
