Blue Angel crash yesterday

[Mossyoakglock]

I'm not sure if this made national news or not but Blue Angel #6 crashed yesterday here in Smyrna, TN (just outside of Nashville) during a practice flight in preparation for this weekend's Airshow killing the pilot, Marine Capt Jeff Kuss. The crash happened shortly after take-off around 3pm CST. Still no word on the cause of the crash yet though.

 

One source said that he could have ejected in time but if he had, his plane would have crashed into nearby homes, apartments or businesses. Instead he controlled the plane into a field to prevent that but killing him. The crash was only a few hundred yards from a busy bowling center, business center and other heavily populated residential and business areas. He is a hero in that he sacrificed his life to prevent the plane from killing or injuring many others. Many thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Blue Angels family.

 

They have also canceled their flights this weekend as well. I was very excited to get to see the Blue Angels fly this weekend. I've never seen them and it's always been something I've wanted to see. I did get to see them make a flyover downtown Nashville yesterday morning though and it was an awesome sight but it's incredibly sad that this happened.

[RyanbabZ71]

A thunderbird also crashed

 

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/02/thunderbird-crash-colorado-springs/

[scott19677]

We also had the loss in Texas. We have lost I think 10 of our best today on American soil alone.

[xelli]

The crash has been reported by my local news.

 

And more info:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/rutherford/2016/06/03/fund-started-pilot-killed-blue-angels-crash/85350182/

[txab]

[Colossus]

Both the Blue Angel & Thunderbird pilots are hero's. They both maneuvered their crippled birds as best they could to avoid humans. The F16 pilot was able to dead stick it to a field and had enough time to eject. The Blue Angel Aviator had very little time but made the most of it to change direction just enough to stay away from housing but had to go down with the bird. No time to eject. A true Marine though. Semper-Fi.

[SarahsGMC]

Jeff Kuss was a friend of a friend, he told me about the crash and later that day I read the story. Smart move on his part.

 

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[wurgs]

R.I.P. Captain Kuss.

 

The Blue Angels have a local connection here so we have the honor of having them perform at our air shows frequently and have had the Thunderbirds in the past. The skill these pilots have in flying the jets in formation inches apart is simply amazing and incredibly dangerous, all for our enjoyment. They all deserve our thanks and prayers, not just now but everyday.

[Mossyoakglock]

I was able to get this video from this weekend's airshow outside of Nashville. The entire airshow was in Capt Kuss's honor.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGS6-HNEAOG/"

 

That was the Geico Skytypers preforming the "Missing Man Formation" in his honor. Very somber moment but also amazing to get to see it in person.

[Colossus]

They moved the F-16 that crashed in Colorado Springs out of the field today and over to the air force base. Ship her back over to Hill Field in Layton, UT and those awesome support crews there can get her airworthy again. Even though they won't.