A sad day for the Blue Angels

[Jasper 45]

One Dead After Blue Angels Jet Crash in South Carolina


BEAUFORT, S.C. — A Navy F-18 Blue Angel plane crashed during an air show Saturday, according to televised reports. The county coroner's office said one person was killed, but it was not immediately clear who died.

Witnesses said the planes were flying in formation during the show at a Marine air base, and then one dropped down below the trees and apparently crashed. "The next thing I seen was just a big black cloud of smoke," Gerald Poop, who lives nearby, told CNN.

At the Blue Angels command headquarters at Pensacola Naval Air Station the petty officer duty said he "had no comment at this time." A woman who answered the phone at the county coroner's office said one person died in the crash. She refused to give her name or other details.

More than 100,000 were expected to attend the air show, and the Blue Angels were the main attraction. The elite aerial-demonstration team, which is based at Pensacola, recently celebrated it's 60th anniversary.

Beaufort is about 35 miles northwest of Hilton Head



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,267681,00.html

[NYSmokey]

I've seen the Blue Angels perform and they were amazing. The pilot deserves a lot of credit for limiting the loss of life to 1. May the pilot rest in peace.

[E229Lt]

They always push the envelope....sometimes it rips.

[Steamer]

The Coroner's Office has released it was the pilot that was killed.

[superchef]

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[fireman4949]

My dad took me to see the Blue Angels when I was a kid back in the 60's in Massachusetts. I was then, and have forever since been amazed at their precision flying.

It is sad to hear of their loss. My prayers go out for the pilot and all involved.

[Eng34FF]

I've seen them several times, they are amazing. They come to the Naval Air Station that I work at every other year. I love to watch them practice too.

My prayers are with the team and the family of the pilot.

[ndvfdff33]

I too have watched them before. Terrible tragedy. RIP

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Very sad.

[backsteprescue123]

I've had the privelege to watch these guys and gals perform quite a few times and not once does it get old. They are the best at what they do and my condolences go out to the family and team members of the pilot.

RIP

[164thDelta]

I had the job of briefing the Blues 3 times a week when I was in the Navy stationed in Pensacola. It is awesome to see all of the cocky student pilots come in for their weather brief and then one of the Blues came in and it was like parting the Red Sea. They practiced at Sherman Field twice a week and I would come in on my days off to watch them practice. LCDR Davis...RIP....you will be truely missed.

[Dickey]

Very sad day indeed.

I had the pleasure of seeing them a few times and also working with the Blue Angels in organizing an airshow here locally when I was the airport fire chief. We got to train on the #7, the two seater for about 2 weeks prior to the show. We did everything with that jet except take off. I got clearance from the Navy to bring small groups for training on the jets.

The Blues are nothing but a top notch, very professional, and very fun bunch of men and women. They really are the best of the best and it shows when you work with them.

RIP Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis

[MalahatTwo7]

Per Ardua ad Astra.

[TCFire]

Brings back some sad memories. I was at the show in Niagara Falls in 1985 when two of the jets (A-4's) had a mid-air during one of the opposing routines. One pilot successfully ejected, but the second went in with the jet.

A very elite and talented group of folks. Thoughts and prayers to the Team and their families.

[dave29]

[ThNozzleman]

I've seen the Blue Angels perform and they were amazing. The pilot deserves a lot of credit for limiting the loss of life to 1. May the pilot rest in peace.

A terrible tragedy, but I don't think he had much control, crashing into a residential area. It was just pure luck nobody was killed. There's always a chance of this happening when these types of shows are held near residential areas.

[pvfire424]

Has there been any news on what went wrong yet ?

[ThNozzleman]

Some reports I've heard said he may have clipped a tree, but something could've gone wrong before that happened.

[LeuitEFDems]

Lt. Cmndr Davis grew up in my neck of the woods. The city of Pittsfield is honoring him with flags flown at half mast until he is buried. http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_5737019
May he Rest in Piece.

[pvfire424]

Some reports I've heard said he may have clipped a tree, but something could've gone wrong before that happened.

I had heard similar , but wondered the same thing.