Rob Holland, a 13-time national aerobatic champion and frequent performer at the Owensboro Air Show, died Thursday in an aircraft accident at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, according to a statement on his official Aeroports Facebook page. He was widely regarded as one of the most innovative and respected pilots in the world of aerobatics.
The statement about Holland’s death said the cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and Department of Defense.
“Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history,” the statement read. “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 had performed at numerous airshows across North America, including multiple appearances in Owensboro — most recently in 2024 — where he was a crowd favorite for his daring stunts and high-energy displays.
According to his website, Holland piloted an MXS-RH, a custom-built, carbon fiber aircraft designed for competition aerobatics. Over his career, he earned 13 consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, five World Freestyle Aerobatic Championships, and the prestigious Art Scholl Award for Showmanship from the International Council of Airshows.
