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Southwest plane reports engine issue, returns to Texas airport
A Southwest Airlines flight headed to Los Cabos, Mexico, returned to the William P. Houston Hobby Airport in Houston after a reported engine issue. (Credit: KRIV)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating after an “experimental” aircraft crashed on Thursday afternoon at Langley Air Force Base, killing an aerobatic pilot near Hampton, Virginia.
Langley Air Force Base officials told Fox News Digital first responders were at the scene as of 2:10 p.m. However, authorities have yet to confirm any injuries or fatalities.
A statement posted to Rob Holland’s Facebook page identified him as the pilot and confirmed his death.
Holland set records for 12 consecutive wins at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, five world Freestyle Aerobatic Championships, and the International Council of Airshows prestigious Art Scholl Award for Showmanship — the highest award an airshow pilot can receive.
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Rob Holland died in a plane crash on Thursday at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, according to a statement on his Facebook page. (Rob Holland Aerosports via Facebook)
Holland had been flying at airshows for more than two decades.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA,” according to the statement. “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. … Never ever give up on your dreams. Blue skies.”
Officials confirmed a plane crash at Langley Air Force Base on Thursday. (Kaitlin McKeown/Daily Press/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Holland was scheduled to fly at the Hampton Roads airshow at Joint Base Langley-Eustis on Saturday and Sunday, according to his website.
He would have joined the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, ACC F-22 Demo Team and the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, along with other performers.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, and is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NTSB and Department of Defense, according to the statement.
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The NTSB confirmed the aircraft was an MX Aircraft MXS.
“The safety and security of our personnel and the local community are our top priorities,” Langley Air Force Base officials told Fox News Digital. “The incident is currently under investigation.”
Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.