HAMPTON, Va. — A tragic accident took place at a military base in coastal Virginia when a pilot, preparing for an upcoming air show, lost his life in a plane crash on Thursday. The aircraft, an experimental model, went down shortly before noon while attempting to land at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, according to military officials.
This civilian aircraft was set to be part of the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show, planned for the weekend at the same base. Unfortunately, the pilot, who was flying solo, was killed in the crash. As of now, the pilot’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.
Col. Matthew Altman, the commander of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, expressed heartfelt condolences, stating, “Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family. On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator.”
In response to the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board announced they were examining the crash of the experimental MX Aircraft MXS model. This particular aircraft is known for its single-seat design, according to promotional information from the MX Aircraft website. The manufacturer, an Australian company, is recognized for crafting sport, aerobatic, and racing planes.
The unfortunate event happened at a base that combines the Army’s Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base. This location is strategically positioned near the southwestern shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The installation is notably home to squadrons of F-22 Raptor fighter jets. A significant moment in its history includes when one of these jets was involved in shooting down a Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic in 2023.