A Blue Angels F/A-18 fighter jet pilot did not eject and was killed when the aircraft crashed Thursday near Nashville, Tennessee, a USA official said.
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The Blue Angels were practicing for the show.
The aerial performance team had completed two practice runs prior to the graduation-day events.
The Thunderbird accident occurred following a flyover at a U.S. Air Force Academy commencement ceremony attended by President Barack Obama.
Steve Fiebing, deputy public affairs officer for the Naval Air Forces, said the jet crashed at 3:01 p.m.
According to family members, Captain Kuss died in the crash. The Blue Angels, which fly F/A-18 jets, drew attention Thursday morning when they flew over downtown Nashville.
Kuss was the only casualty and no civilians on the ground were hurt.
The Blue Angels crash comes just an hour or so after the crash landing of a Thunderbird F-16 that went down near Colorado Springs.
All other Blue Angels aircraft landed safely.
“We’re flattered and honored to have them, and it’s just heartbreaking to see this happen”, Gill said.
His plane crashed Thursday afternoon shortly after takeoff.
“It sounded like vehicle crashed into my house”, she said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Groeneveld said the military doesn’t have any immediate reports of injuries but is still waiting on news about the fate of the pilot.
The pilot was rescued by local first responders, Master Sgt. Chrissy Best, Thunderbirds spokeswoman, told The Air Force Times.
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WJAX’s Lorena Inclan got to take a flight with Kuss while the Blue Angels were in town for the annual Sea and Sky Spectacular airshow.
