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NTSB final report finds custom counterweight plug failure drove elevator jam and loss of control in Rob Holland accident

The NTSB concluded that a failure of a custom counterweight plug caused a jammed elevator during landing, leading to loss of control in the accident that killed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland. The report frames the event as a component/rigging malfunction with direct flight-control consequences at low altitude.

Discovered 2026-07-06T12:13:55.164733-07:00 | 2026-07-06T12:13:55.164733-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The final NTSB finding links the fatal outcome to a specific flight-control malfunction (a jammed elevator), strengthening the safety case for rigorous control-surface inspection and installation/rigging oversight.
  • The accident centers on a custom part failure mode, a reminder for operators and repair/maintenance organizations to manage custom modifications with the same level of documentation, verification, and continuity testing.
  • Landing is a high-workload, low-energy phase; the report’s control-loss mechanism highlights the operational risk profile of configuration/rigging errors exactly when margins are smallest.

Reported By

Flying Magazine
Sources Tracked
1
First Seen
2026-07-06T12:13:55.164733-07:00
Latest Update
2026-07-06T12:13:55.164733-07:00
Coverage
Aviation

Sources

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