The National Road Safety Board (NTSB) on Friday confirmed that the famous aerobatic pilot who fatally crashed at Langley Air Force Base had been in contact with the air traffic control tower before the tragedy.
Pilot Rob Holland was the only person on board and died after crashing into dirt near the taxiway just after 11:30am on Thursday.
The Netherlands were trying to land everyday when the tragedy occurred and not performing any stunts, Boggs said.
The airfield was closed at the time and military operations were not affected.
Rob Holland died Thursday in a plane crash at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia on Thursday, according to a statement on his Facebook page. (Rob Holland Aerosports via Facebook)
Famous stunt pilot dies after plane crashes at Langley Air Force Base, NTSB investigation
The NTSB confirmed that the Netherlands were talking to the control tower before the crash, but authorities are still working to get a copy of the communications between the air traffic controller and the pilot.
It is unclear whether Holland attempted to operate the plane before the plane went down, but the NTSB is working to obtain a witness statement.
“Whether they are people in aviation, they see it in one way, while unevacuated,” he said. “We’re going to put it all together. …If there’s someone driving in a car or just happening to be watching the entire sequence of accidents, I’d like to hear about it.”
Authorities confirmed a crash of the plane at Langley Air Force Base on Thursday. (Kaitlin McKeown/Daily Press/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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The aircraft, the MX aircraft, was a single-seat aircraft with a single engine.
It is built and designed specifically for air shows, and is almost twice the horsepower of a typical small aircraft.
“It’s just a comprehensive stunt plane and is well respected in the airshow community,” Boggs said.
Once the NTSB investigates, the aircraft will be removed from the scene.
Rob Holland was scheduled to perform at the airshow at Langley Air Force Base over the weekend. (Rob Holland Aerosports via Facebook)
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If investigators find an issue with the plane, Boggs said the NTSB will immediately send safety bulletins to all pilots flying that class.
According to his website, the Netherlands was scheduled to fly jointly with Langley Airstis at the Hampton Roads Air Show on Saturday and Sunday.
He is the US Air Force Thunderbird, the ACC F-22 demonstration team, and US Air Force Heritage flights along with other performers.
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Setup Commander and Air Force Colonel Matthew Altman said the air show will continue as planned.
“The world of aviation has really lost legends, heroes and even greater people. It can’t be really exaggerated,” Altman said. “I hope that this airshow is once again a great opportunity to welcome in the community and bring joy to the joy of air force and all the inspiration, but I hope that it is a homage to his legacy and indeed a magical wonder.”
