Blue Angel Pilot Killed In Training Crash Outside Nashville

A U.S. Navy Blue Angel jet crashed in Smyrna around 3 p.m. Thursday after taking off for a practice flight, killing the pilot.

Update, June 3:

The Navy has formally identified Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss as the pilot of the F/A-18C Hornet that crashed Thursday.

Kuss was a 10-year veteran of the Marine Corps. He was assigned to the Blue Angels in September 2014 and began flying in shows a year ago. Kuss flew as an opposing solo pilot — a position that called on him to demonstrate the capabilities of the aircraft.

“Capt. Kuss was an incredible Marine, husband and father, and an inspiration to so many,” Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker said in a release confirming Kuss’s death.

The Blue Angels say they’re still investigating the crash but have determined none of the other five pilots was involved.

Update, 9:14 p.m.:

The Great Tennessee Air Show will go on, even without the Blue Angels. Here’s the release made on the air show website:

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by today’s tragic and devastating accident,” said John Black, executive director of the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport. “Show management has discussed the relative advantages and disadvantages of continuing the show. After close consultation with the Blue Angels, regulatory officials and the performers, we have made the decision to carry on with this weekend’s show.”

Previously, the Navy said the Blue Angels will no longer perform.

Update, 6:54 p.m.:

The Associated Press reports the pilot was Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss from Colorado.

Earlier this year, when the Navy fighter jet team flew over Knoxville, Jeff Kuss told a group of high school students that he didn’t necessarily want them to join the Marines or the Navy. He encouraged them to become whatever they wanted.

He told local TV station WATE the same thing.

“But really just try to invoke that fire in their belly to go out and do what they want to do that’s going to make them happy and successful in life.”

Kuss joined the Marines in 2006 and started flying the next year. In 2013, he was deployed to the Middle East, flying missions from the North Arabian Sea. He became a Blue Angel pilot a year and a half ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnduXvGiNIY

Update, 5:50 p.m.:

During a press conference, Smyrna town manager Harry Gill did confirm that the pilot died in the crash, which happened just behind the historic Sam Davis Home. He also confirmed that no one on the ground was injured.

Local emergency responders are supporting the federal agencies in the investigation. The FAA has put a two-mile air restriction in place during the course of its work.

The five other Blue Angels planes were sitting on the runways at the Smyrna airport, which is supposed to host the Great Tennessee Airshow this weekend.

“We’re flattered and honored to have them, and it’s just heartbreaking to see this happen,” Gill said.

No decision has been made on whether to go forward with this weekend’s air show.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry released a statement, offering her condolences and saying she has ordered the Metro Courthouse and Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge to be lit in yellow and blue Friday night.

“I’m shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a Navy Blue Angel pilot who crashed just a few miles outside of Nashville, and just hours after the Blue Angels flew over downtown Nashville,” she writes. “The Blue Angels have served to inspire and instill national pride in men, women, and children throughout our country.”

WPLN’s Chas Sisk spoke to an eyewitness who was videotaping the takeoff from behind a nearby elementary school.

“And then I hear a boom to the left of me,” Bill Lynch said. “That’s when I run over. I stopped filming, I run over and I see a fireball. And, first thing I do is I look for a ‘chute. I look everywhere…but there was no ‘chute.”

Update, 5:10 p.m.:

The U.S. Navy confirms that an F/A-18 crashed “during the beginning stages of an afternoon practice.”

“The other five Blue Angel jets were not involved in the incident and landed safely moments later,” the Navy release says.

The crash occurred roughly two miles from the runway, and the Navy is conducting an investigation.

So far, the military has not confirmed the reported fatality. But the Navy does say the name is being withheld pending the notification of the pilot’s family.

Update, 4:45 p.m.:

The investigation over the Blue Angel jet crash will be handled by the Federal Aviation Administration and the military, according to Smyrna police.

The military flying team was in the middle of a nationwide tour to celebrate its 70th anniversary and was scheduled to fly at the Great Tennessee Airshow this weekend. Earlier in the day, a team of six jets flew over downtown Nashville, releasing streams of white smoke in a highly publicized fly-by.

In 2007, The Associated Press reported 26 fatal crashes in the team’s history.

Original post:

A U.S. Navy Blue Angel jet crashed in Smyrna around 3 p.m. Thursday after taking off for a practice flight. The identity of the pilot is not available, but News Channel 5 reports that one person has died. 

According to Rutherford Co. officials – one person has died in Blue Angel jet crash outside of Nashville @NC5 pic.twitter.com/0DnadkVBu8— Chris Conte (@chrisconte) June 2, 2016

A press conference is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Sam Davis Home, which is where the mid-afternoon crash appears to have occurred.

Mike Woods is chairman of the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Board and says he believes the aircraft crashed on a property near the runway.

“We’ve always had good experience here, with the Blues, and also the Thunderbirds and other jet teams,” Woods says. “It’s very unfortunate, just really tragic.”

The Blue Angels did a flyover Thursday morning, over downtown Nashville. They were scheduled to perform as part of the Great Tennessee Airshow this weekend.