A preliminary report from the NTSB on the crash that killed air show star Rob Holland points to a loose plug as the culprit in the crash.
NTSB
Pilot seriously injured when he forgets to remove wheel chocks
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to remove the wheel chocks before engine start which resulted in the inadvertent contact with the propeller while the engine was running.
Test flight ends with total loss of engine power
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power caused by fatigue cracking and fracture of the crankshaft due to severe wear of the bearings.
Human Factors: Dumping fuel
The two shattered links of the accident chain were not adjacent, as they so often are. The first came during an otherwise diligent preflight. The second was a skipped memory item from the emergency checklist that, otherwise, would have saved the day.
Corroded aileron cable proves fatal for CFI and student
Probable Cause: Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff.
Failure to apply carb heat leads to forced landing in river
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat before initiating a descent in conditions conducive to the development of carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.
Failure to apply carb heat bends Piper
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power from carburetor ice.
Air show star Rob Holland dies in aircraft accident
“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. The cause of the crash is not known at this time, and is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and DOD.”
First flight in new plane goes awry
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusting crosswind.