NTSB Final Report Cites Elevator Counterweight Plug Failure in Rob Holland Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its concluding report on the 2025 fatal accident of renowned aerobatic pilot Rob Holland. The investigation determined that the failure of a custom counterweight plug in the MX Aircraft Tech MXS airplane caused the elevator to jam during final approach, resulting in a loss of control and ultimately the crash. Holland, a highly experienced pilot with over 15,000 flight hours, was attempting to land at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia on April 24, 2025, when the accident occurred around 11:35 a.m. ET.

Witnesses described the aircraft’s approach to Runway 08 as initially smooth, maintaining about 50 feet above the runway and proceeding straight for several hundred feet. Subsequently, the airplane began to porpoise, pitching sharply upward by 45 to 60 degrees, climbing several hundred feet, and rolling 90 degrees left. It then descended rapidly and impacted a ditch beside the runway, pancaking as it came down. Weather conditions were clear with calm winds, eliminating environmental factors from significant consideration.

The NTSB report highlighted that all major components of the airplane were recovered at the site except for the left elevator counterweight plug, which was found approximately 10 feet behind the wreckage in the grass. Flight data retrieved from the airplane’s electronic flight instrument system aligned closely with eyewitness accounts of the accident sequence. The medical examiner listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma, and toxicology tests on Holland came back negative for drugs.

Holland, 50, had flown from Smyrna Airport in Tennessee to Virginia specifically for the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow, where he was scheduled to perform in his custom-built MXS. The all-carbon fiber single-seat aircraft, manufactured in Australia, had been his primary aerobatic platform since 2011. The MXS had a special airworthiness certificate issued in the experimental category since July 2019, allowing it to perform exhibition and air racing activities.

A key factor identified was the aircraft’s customized elevator design. Holland had requested the manufacturer to incorporate an adjustable balance tube in the elevator control system. This design included access holes in the elevator horns, sealed by plugs intended as a short-term solution. However, no service manual or torque specifications were provided for installing these plugs, which later proved critical to the accident.

Discrepancies emerged regarding the plugs installed on Holland’s airplane. The manufacturer’s design called for plugs dimensionally different from those found on the aircraft, including a locking O-ring which was missing in the accident plugs. The absence of this locking feature likely led to the plug’s failure and subsequent elevator jamming during the critical final moments of flight. The manufacturer could not explain the deviations from the original design in the installed plugs.

Following the accident, the manufacturer issued a mandatory safety notice applicable to MXS and MX2 aircraft with adjustable balance tubes. It mandated filling the existing adjustable balance tubes with a lead/resin mixture to prevent similar failures. The safety directive represented a response to this fatal incident, aiming to increase reliability and safety in these aerobatic aircraft designs.

Rob Holland’s legacy extends far beyond this tragedy. He was a titan in competitive aerobatics, with achievements including thirteen consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic championships, six world freestyle titles, and multiple recognitions such as the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award. In November 2025, he was posthumously inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame, honoring his outstanding contributions and passion for aerobatic flight.

The NTSB’s final report provides crucial insight into the risks associated with customized aircraft modifications, especially those without comprehensive design verification and maintenance guidance. It underscores the importance of strict adherence to design specifications and manufacturer recommendations to maintain control system integrity. The aviation community will likely scrutinize these findings to prevent recurrences and preserve the safety of aerobatic operations worldwide.