A Navy Blue Angel jet crashed during an air show today. The plane completed its plunge to Earth into a neighborhood of small homes and trailers and killing the pilot.
It has been reported that metal and plastic wreckage, a good amount of it on fire, struck homes in the neighborhood the plane crashed into. Several homes were damaged, and eight people on the ground were injured.
The crash took place in the final minutes of the air show while the planes were in the middle of a maneuver involving all six planes joining from behind the crowd to form a Delta triangle. The fallen plane failed to rejoin the formation.
The name of the pilot has not been released, and won't be until his family is notified of the death. A Navy statement said the pilot had been on the team for two years — and it was his first as a demonstration pilot.
The possible causes of the crash are under investigation, and it could take at least three weeks for an official cause to be released.
The Blue Angels fly F/A-18 Hornets at high speeds in close formations. The pilots are considered the Navy's elite.
The last Blue Angel crash that killed a pilot took place in 1999, when a pilot and crewmate were killed while practicing for air shows with the five other Blue Angels jets at a base in Georgia.
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I guess he was a rookie... Too bad
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart. Dave, there are no "rookie" Angels. They have to be a certain caliber to fly with the blue.
ReplyDeleteI must say though, that I've seen a few close calls on trees/buildings as they flew over my house... they need to take it up a notch.. up as in higher.
Sad, but things like this happen. All we can do is hope they don't and pray when they do.
ReplyDeleteOh, and great radio show on Saturday. I loved the callers, and you handled the touchy subject matter well.
ReplyDeleteDave,
ReplyDeleteHe was with the Angels for 1 year already. Keep in mind that those who fly for the Angels are taken from the fleet and are only allowed to serve on the Angels for up to 3 years I believe...then they are required to return to the fleet.
If you go to CIR you can see his entire history, he has a lot under his belt.
Also as the investigation goes on it may end up being a mechanical issue. In any event I appreciate you taking a moment of silence the other day.