Blue Angel crash at airshow

[727C47]

RIP,Godspeed, my brother.

 

[SIG600]

I don't think the fly by wire computer will let the pilot stall the wing on an F18.

Yes it will... the FCS will give you exactly what you ask for.

 

[pgcfii2002]

I tivoed the video of his accident this morning. It shows him spinning out of control above the other five before he attempted to join up and going frame by frame appears he was spinning horizontally before dropping to the ground. He appears not to be aileron rolling but snap rolling. I don't think the fly by wire computer will let the pilot stall the wing on an F18. I saw an F18 crash on the runway at El Toro about 18 years ago not pulling out of a sqare loop in time. His wings were perfectly level when he hit the runway in a high rate of descent and I am sure that pilot had the elevator control to the stops.

I remember seeing that on television.....I was in AFROTC at the time.

 

[bertengineer]

I tivoed the video of his accident this morning. It shows him spinning out of control above the other five before he attempted to join up and going frame by frame appears he was spinning horizontally before dropping to the ground. He appears not to be aileron rolling but snap rolling. I don't think the fly by wire computer will let the pilot stall the wing on an F18. I saw an F18 crash on the runway at El Toro about 18 years ago not pulling out of a sqare loop in time. His wings were perfectly level when he hit the runway in a high rate of descent and I am sure that pilot had the elevator control to the stops.

He hit so hard that his straps broke, his face ate the stick litterally, ironically this was the day before the blues did their airshow in El Toro! By the way it was the group CO at the time that had the accident. He lived, and months of recouperation, face reconstruction etc...

 

[bubbers44]

At El Toro when he went for his final vertical dive I told my wife he wouldn't make it as he started the dive while we were in the hot dog line. Fortunately he lived but he probably shouldn't have been doing that demo flight.

I found the video I watched this morning on a google search but couldn't find one on evening news. The website video shows him tumbling out of control in his turn to join up and if there is no stall protection maybe in his relatively low speed join up pulling up from his dive and steep bank he did encounter a stall situation that caused the loss of control. It looked like he recovered at the end but couldn't clear the ground. A good quality video would probably clear things up. RIP Kevin.

 

[guppygoshawk]

Let's let the professionals determine the cause. Speculation is just that from most untrained eyes. Let's continue to honor the great service of a great US Naval Officer.

 

[bubbers44]

Yes, what ever happened that day will be known by all when the report comes out. We all want to know how this accident happened. We did not expect a Blue Angels fatality to happen on a join up maneuver. They are the best and losing a pilot during this phase of their flying program brings questions. I have watched them dozens of times and the join up always seems to be a non event.

 

[SIG600]

I found the video I watched this morning on a google search but couldn't find one on evening news. The website video shows him tumbling out of control in his turn to join up and if there is no stall protection maybe in his relatively low speed join up pulling up from his dive and steep bank he did encounter a stall situation that caused the loss of control.

Ok, this is the second post that proves you're grabbing at straws. You clearly have no concept of what high performance fighters are capable of. Let me put it to you like this. Critical angle of attack in the charlie hornet is 35 degrees. I have seen greater than 60 degree's AOA in low speed fights, FULLY STALLED, and with full nose authority. Just because the wing is stalled in no way means you're out of control. Please, stop your speculation. I've seen all the video's, talked to the guys that were there, and come up with my own ideas, but am keeping them to myself and waiting for what the official source has to say.

And a join up should be a non event, however I can think of three fatal incidents in the last 36 months that occured during a simple admin join up.

 

[SKYW Pilot]

First off, I want to say that this is such a tragedy, and my prayers go out to our fallen aviator and his friends and families. My Dad just retired with the Navy (civilian worker) after 40 years, and I feel like the Navy is part of my family. I've been watching the Blues since I was a little kid and just saw them again at Fleet Week in S.F. in October. In my opinion, the F-18 in that Blue paint is one of the most beautiful aircraft.

I also am not a military pilot (my eyesight sucks). I've seen them do that "join up" time and time again. It's so wierd to watch that aircraft just stop flying and head towards the trees. Man, it could be anything. Massive flock of birds, medical problem, flight control problem... who knows. One thing that is certain, though, is we'll learn from this accident and all become better pilots from it.

God bless to all our military personnel at home and abroad.

 

[Propnose]

My sister is the current XO/Admin officer for the team, and was working in the tower when it happened. She told me that she saw the whole thing. Let's not speculate, or spread rumors. Let's just remember Kevin and all who are trying to deal with this tragedy. Kevin was an outstanding example of what the Blue Angels stand for. RIP

 

[Andy]

My attempt to pull this back on topic.

#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.

This is very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

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

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

My sincere condolences, a great loss to our country.

My dad taking me to see a Blue Angels show when I was kid is what made me want to fly.

Godspeed, RIP.

LCdr Davis was an absolute star. I was priveleged enough to meet him last year when my friend and then Blue Angel gave me a ride in his backseat, an honor and a thrill. The Team goes out of their way to make everyone feel welcome and treats every individual as if they are the most important person in the room. Kevin, in particular, managed to stand out as a class act having the time of his life, even in a room where "over achiever" is a massive understatement.

Prayers to your friends and family who raised a hero of a man, SD

Thats great you got to meet him and the rest of the team SD. When Kev was the #7, he had a backseat ride set up for me set up at El Centro, but I got a sinus infection in the desert of all places and had to scrap it. It wasn't meant to be. I too got to meet a few of the team and they are without a doubt top notch. I spoke with him on Thursday about our get together in May...unfortunately that was also not meant to be. I am proud to have known him...Gone but not forgotten.

I had the pleasure of interacting with Kevin last year during our Airshow at KPIT. He was an awesome dude - down to earth, engaging, enthusiastic.... His love of flying was ABSOLUTE. He had more character than most people could dream of having in a lifetime. A tremendous loss....godbless....

A very good friend of mine is a traffic cop here in a suburb of PHX and was involved with coordinating traffic for the Blues when they were flying in Goodyear (GYR) last year. Kevin was the #7 guy and set up the logistics for the event. My buddy was blown away by the professionalism displayed by the team and uses it as an example to motivate is fellow officers. Kevins memory will not be soon forgoten.

RIP,Godspeed, my brother.

LCDR Davis, thank you for all you've done in your lifetime. You were someone that everyone could look up to and you made a positive difference in this world.

 

[Publishers]

I agree. He came in to rejoin but to do it needed a high angle of wing bank to turn and not overshoot the group.. It was more like a 130 degree turn in. Nose however never came up. Looked like a constant angle held right into the trees. Somebody more familiar with AOA and momentum would have to weigh in on the factors. I was thinking perhaps tunnel vision. In there other manuvers, you anticipate the blood loss. Rejoining is not considered a high performance event.

 

[Occam's Razor]

Why is a bad thing to discuss the mishap...or the possible causes of it?

We're not the AMB, and I'm pretty sure the actual AMB won't rush to this Forum to determine the factors in this tragedy.

I heard John Fogg (Mayor of Pensacola, and former Blue Angel) speculating on the possible cause yesterday. He mentioned GLOC and a birdstrike. He also mentioned he just didn't know.

Since we're aviation professionals (SWA/FO notwithstanding), I don't think we're out-of-school when we discuss this crash...assuming it can be done professionally on this Forum. If the cause of the mishap is off limits...then perhaps we could discuss Kevin's aviation education. He graduated from ERAU. He was proud of that. Maybe those that hurl smug attacks on ERAU as a "geek factory" should ensure they include Kevin's bio in their future posts?

 

[guppygoshawk]

Why is a bad thing to discuss the mishap...or the possible causes of it?

We're not the AMB, and I'm pretty sure the actual AMB won't rush to this Forum to determine the factors in this tragedy.

I heard John Fogg (Mayor of Pensacola, and former Blue Angel) speculating on the possible cause yesterday. He mentioned GLOC and a birdstrike. He also mentioned he just didn't know.

Since we're aviation professionals (SWA/FO notwithstanding), I don't think we're out-of-school when we discuss this crash...assuming it can be done professionally on this Forum. If the cause of the mishap is off limits...then perhaps we could discuss Kevin's aviation education. He graduated from ERAU. He was proud of that. Maybe those that hurl smug attacks on ERAU as a "geek factory" should ensure they include Kevin's bio in their future posts?

The post above yours is a good reason why speculation becomes so frustrating. Its not you or I putting forth possibilities, that's the difference. What Andy posted is what we should all be thinking of right now.

 

[Huggyu2]

Rejoining is not considered a high performance event.

Then you've not spent any time talking to the Blues, and having them describe one of their rejoins.

 

[Kuma]

Thanks Andy. Kevin was what we all strive to be...let the following quote be a great example...
​

I had the pleasure of interacting with Kevin last year during our Airshow at KPIT. He was an awesome dude - down to earth, engaging, enthusiastic.... His love of flying was ABSOLUTE. He had more character than most people could dream of having in a lifetime. A tremendous loss....godbless....

Thank you Blues for all that you do for our comrades at arms.

 

[Buckeye]

LCDR Davis RIP....

THAT BEING SAID, WE ALL KNOW SOMETHING WENT WRONG, PLEASE DO NOT SPECULATE. THANK YOU.

 

[SIG600]

The post above yours is a good reason why speculation becomes so frustrating. Its not you or I putting forth possibilities, that's the difference. What Andy posted is what we should all be thinking of right now.

+1

A sad time for the family, the team, and Naval Aviation. Proof that it can happen to any of us.

 

[Andy]

A sad time for the family, the team, and Naval Aviation. Proof that it can happen to any of us.

Yes, it is a sad time.

But let's try to make this a positive by making a positive impact on the world tomorrow. I ask that everyone commit a random act of kindness- whether it be letting someone into your traffic lane in front of you, saying good day to a passerby, or giving a family member a hug and telling them how much you love them- do something that will have a positive impact on the world.
I will never be half the man that Kevin Davis was. But maybe, for just one day, we can all be half the man that Kevin was.

 

[AdlerDriver]

..........Rejoining is not considered a high performance event.

...scoff.... If you ain't doin' it with idle - boards and at least 7 Gs, you ain't doin' it right.