Inverted25
Well-Known Member
I have seen reports that witnesses said a wing departed the airplane. If true it’s not the first structural failure of a MX-S in flight.
Rob Holland accident at Langley Air Force Base
- Thread starter seagull22
- Start date
Lawman
Well-Known Member
Hearing similar with the aileron specifically noted.
Seems like every 5 years or so the airshow/performative aviation community gets rocked with a death.
Pilot Fighter
Well-Known Member
I know members of his MX team, I have resisted the temptation to ask for details, I just extended my condolences.
When I heard that there might have been a wing or aileron separation, my mind immediately went to issues of pulling the wings for shipping. In the past year, I think he shipped his plane to Europe and South America, maybe additional locations. The plane shipped to South America might have been his old plane which is now his backup plane, currently sitting as a sad memorial.
Rob sweated every detail, here’s the packing crate for his wings.
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Inverted
mmmmmm wine
Ths is incorrect. Nigel Hopkins accident wasn't wing failure, it was firewall and the engine hit the wing. I have talked to several on the ground at Langley and this theory doesn't hold water. It is also a one piece wing like an Extra. You aren't snapping a wing off an MXS.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
This was getting the plane ready for WAC, before being hauled over to JFK and loaded onto a Cargolux 747. Rob had just finished a training camp in Union City TN where Full Stop Aviation is, and who does the maintenance on the plane. It was looked over before he left. Rob has had hiccups with the various MXS/MX2s he has owned over the years and I might be privvy to more than most know (but not as much as the folks at Full Stop or MX Aircraft are privvy to that is for sure).
Rob didn't make mistakes in airplanes, he just didn't. The theory of something failing on the airplane is likely for several reasons but unfortunately I have heard from those who inspected the wreckage and it does not appear to be the case, at least so far. I almost hope it is as I cannot fathom how else Rob would have faced someething he couldn't handle.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
Try multiple times a year. Olivier Mausurel was lost last year and he is a national champion.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
There was no real reason for somebody like Rob, to be friends with somebody like me. Granted I started an aerobatic podcast that became really big in the community, but Rob and I would talk multiple times a week, about lots of random stuff. He was also on the podcast several times, and even before he knew me or the podcast was anything, he volunteered to be my first guest.
Rob should have had the ego that most pilots half as good as him have. He truly and honestly was one of the nicest guys. The hole left by him paassing will be forever lasting, but that is what happens when you are a legend.
Everyone makes mistakes in airplanes. From the most minor and unnoticeable, to the most major. No one is infallible in aviation.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
I hear what you are saying and of couse I am not being literal. But if there was one person on the planet that didn't, it was Rob.
It’s indeed a very sad loss of a good man and pilot, moreso when they are personal.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
If anyone in this industry deserved an ego and the right to carry themselves with a bit of swagger it was Rob. I know more than a few pilots who are truly skilled and have the attitude to match (and many more that have the attitude without the skill).
But he didn't. Its like if Tom Brady enjoyed volunteering his time at high school QB camps.
Pilot Fighter
Well-Known Member
I know the folks at Full Stop, as well. What a jewel of a shop. It’s like a museum of interesting aircraft with new exhibits every week. The co-owner and primary mechanic (J.W.) turns wrenches on one of my planes.
Tragic accidents are often preceded by a stretch of boredom, monotony, and fatigue. At the end of the day, the best amongst us are still human.
WacoFan
Bigly
If the airplane was indeed intact that is a good thing. What it leaves is a medical incident. Massive coronary or stroke. Jim Fix died while jogging. Two of my uncles - one working in his blueberry field and another walking to the corner market suffered massive, sudden heart attacks and were dead before they hit the ground. Makes more sense than a multi-time National Champ simply crashing on short final.
Pilot Fighter
Well-Known Member
Not commenting on this case, it doesn’t have to be a stroke or heart attack. Illness, fitness, injury, discomfort, and fatigue can be a factor that can comprise the best of us.
flyingpotato
Well-Known Member
Intresting how tightly disciplined the rumint has been. Typically with most accidents the web more or less knows what NTSB may find. Lots of mystery around this one.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
- No video to get replayed over and over (thank God).
- Happened on a military base so no random internet "experts" to declare "what happened is...."
- The pilot was a known quality. Yes, it could be ultimately "pilot error" but it won't be pilot stupidity.
- The airplane is a known quality. MX could be a factor, but it won't be for a lack of concern. These pilots are VERY careful about that.
Ultimately we will know some basics in a few days, but exactly what happened may remain a mystery.
Pilot Fighter
Well-Known Member
This case is kinda special. Folks like me that are normally in “what the heck happened” mode are in a “this is so sad” mode.
Given the opportunity to ask folks that know all there is to know, I just offered my condolences.
I surprised myself. This one feels different.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
This is leaving everyone confused. Typically in the aerobatic community, you can get inside info on an accident typically. If there is video of Robs accident, nobody has seen it and even talking to those on the ground, the details are fuzzy. Could it be an aileron? Maybe, sure. The thing is, it will be something, but it isn't immediately obvious yet.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
I think a lot of us are hoping it was something structural. Can’t imagine a guy at his level just making a mistake.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
There is simply no way he screwed up on airspeed and spun into the ground during a landing attempt. I know people who don't know, will argue with me that pilots make mistakes and it COULD happen. It just simply not something that could happen here.
When this happened I immediately thought that maybe something jammed the stick, as the pushrod tunnel is exposed where the stick is, to inspect it. Always found this odd as a water bottle or cell phone could get lodged in there.
