Rob Holland Crash: The investigators focus on a modified part of the airshow pilot on the Langley Air Force Base

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The investigators who examined the accident of the past week in which the Champion Aerobatic Pilot Rob Holland was killed when he tried to land in Virginia at the Langley Air Force Base on a part of a special modification on the controls of his aircraft.

The new findings published on Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board said that one of two small aluminum plugs with a small thread was “not installed” in the elevator control by Holland's MXS Aerobatic aircraft and 10 feet behind the main trees.

The new detail is part of a preliminary report that does not find a probable cause of the crash. Remarkably, the report was published on Friday in just eight days and not in 30, as was typical for preliminary NTSB results. The agency's final report is expected to be published at some point in 2026 or early 2027.

The 50 -year -old Holland arrived from Tennessee to perform in the air force via the Hampton Roads Air Show. The NTSB found “the plane has a normal approach to the runway” and was over the runway at a height of about 50 feet. Witnesses then “porpoised” the aircraft to the investigators, then “straight up”, rolled 90 ° left and rose to ground impact. ”

Holland was the only person on board the single -sitting aircraft that rested on the left of the runway. The plane did not caught a fire.

The report found that Holland “worked with the manufacturer to change the aircraft to its specifications”, which contained an aluminum connector with threads on each side of the outside area of ​​the elevator control. The plug could be deterred to “reveal an access hole on the left and right elevator to insert counterweights in order to adapt the elevator feeling depending on the air routine carried out.”

The NTSB not only found that the plug was not found by the left side of the elevator control by the main turbidity wreck, but was also dented and scratched. Signs of contact with the rest of the horizontal tail of the aircraft, the report says. The NTSB did not say what if an effect of the missing part on Holland's ability to control its plane could have.

The report on Friday marks the first significant findings since the crash, in which one of the most decorated pilots of America was killed in the niche sport of competitive air flying. Holland was the reigning US National Aerobatic Champion, a title that he won 13 times, and often carried out maneuvers that he invented in the air show throughout North America and to worldwide recognition.

Holland's death stunned the aviation world with memorial sites that flooded social media when news spread about his death. This week, the World Air Sports Federation described and certified the titles deserved by pilots in international flight competitions.

“He was obliged to improve his sport and all air sports for upcoming generations,” said Greg Principato Gre Principato by Fédération Aéronautique. “His influence is missed by everyone. And I will miss his friendship.”