Blue Angel crash at airshow

[Hugh Jorgan]

Nothing like the AP story strongly and irresponsibly suggesting a cause:

"The Blue Angels fly F/A-18 Hornets at high speeds in close formations, and their pilots are considered the Navy's elite. They don't wear the traditional G-suits that most jet pilots use to avoid blacking out during maneuvers. The suits inflate around the lower body to keep blood in the brain, but which could cause a pilot to bump the control stick — a potentially deadly move when flying inches from other planes.
Instead, Blue Angels manage G-forces by tensing their abdominal muscles."

I have yet to see any names released other than the same knucklehead saying the #6 jet went down. Could these obits for Davis be a bit premature?

 

[splatt]

Fair winds and following seas...

 

[Clandestine]

From Navy Office of Information
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- An F/A-18A Hornet assigned to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) crashed during the final minutes of an air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., at approximately 4 p.m. EDT, April 21.

The pilot did not survive.

The pilot of the jet was joining the Delta formation for the final maneuver of the aerial demonstration when the mishap occurred. It was his second year on the team, and first year as a demonstration pilot.

The other five Blue Angel jets were not involved in the incident and landed safely moments later.

The crash occurred approximately three miles outside the air station in the vicinity of Pine Grove Rd. and White Pine Rd. One civilian on the ground reported minor injuries and was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Some houses in the area received damage, the extent of which is unclear at this time.

The name of the pilot is being withheld pending the notification of the next-of-kin.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

 

[xrated]

#6 LCDR Kevin Davis was my college roomate and good friend. We were planning a get together at the air show in Millville, NJ. Kevin was a great person, always putting the needs of other's above his own. He was the epitome of the moral character required to be a Blue Angel. He was single, and is survived by his parents and an older brother. He died doing what he loved. May he rest in peace.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[skybert]

Most of us can only dream of being the kind of men they are. Godspeed.

 

[Rick James]

#6 LCDR Kevin Davis was my college roomate and good friend. We were planning a get together at the air show in Millville, NJ. Kevin was a great person, always putting the needs of other's above his own. He was the epitome of the moral character required to be a Blue Angel. He was single, and is survived by his parents and an older brother. He died doing what he loved. May he rest in peace.

I'm sure he was a great man, I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[JungleJett]

Nothing like the AP story strongly and irresponsibly suggesting a cause:

"The Blue Angels fly F/A-18 Hornets at high speeds in close formations, and their pilots are considered the Navy's elite. They don't wear the traditional G-suits that most jet pilots use to avoid blacking out during maneuvers. The suits inflate around the lower body to keep blood in the brain, but which could cause a pilot to bump the control stick — a potentially deadly move when flying inches from other planes.
Instead, Blue Angels manage G-forces by tensing their abdominal muscles."

I have yet to see any names released other than the same knucklehead saying the #6 jet went down. Could these obits for Davis be a bit premature?

They were not implying a cause just stating facts. Read what was written again and I think you will see they are just mentioning that they do not wear G-suits and the reason why, not saying that is what caused the accident.

We were descending into Jacksonville on Thursday morning when Blue Angle Six checked in with Jax center. His call on victor was "Jax center, Blue Angle Six, an F-18 Hornet, checking in climbing to FL250." He sounded very proud of it and I remarked to the FO the same. Then I said, "How cool is that!"

Tough news.....prayers are with his family, both of them.

 

[PhatAJ2008]

Just wondering....
Why was the one team leader circling the crash site while the other landed? I would think they would all land immediately...?
I just saw them perform at Tyndall last month. This is very sad.

 

[satpak77]

Just wondering....
Why was the one team leader circling the crash site while the other landed? I would think they would all land immediately...?
I just saw them perform at Tyndall last month. This is very sad.

I am sure he was confirming that fire/rescue was enroute and correctly going to the site.

I am not military, but it is my understanding when a "wingman" goes down, his partner (safety allowing) remains on scene till SAR responds and reacts. He was probably doing as trained.

 

[Jafar]

A tragic loss. I'm sorry about your friend, tailspin.