Breaking: Blue Angels Pilot Involved in a Crash

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During Air Show in Beaufort, South Carolina.

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WSAV.com

NEWS 3 has confirmed a Blue Angel aircraft has gone down somewhere near Pine Grove Road in Beaufort. NEWS 3 has crews on the scene and we'll have the latest tonight at 6 and 11.

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CNN--Beaufort County Coroner's Office confirms at least 1 person dead. (UNKNOWN, if pilot)

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Emergency crews ask for coroner
Published Sat, Apr 21, 2007

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A Blue Angel crashed Saturday afternoon while performing at an air show at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

Authorities say the pilot, still not identified, was killed in the crash.

It was not immediately known whether anyone else was hurt in the crash.

Emergency crews at the scene of the crash site called for the coroner about 4:20 p.m., indicating that the pilot was killed in the crash.

Police reports indicate that the Blue Angel clipped power lines near Shanklin Road in Burton about 4 p.m. and went down about 30 minutes into the unit's show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

http://www.beaufortgazette.com/break...-5768377c.html

[RBA]

Blue Angel crashes; pilot killed
Published Sat, Apr 21, 2007

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A Blue Angel crashed Saturday afternoon while performing at an air show at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

Reports indicate that it was Blue Angel No. 6 that went down and plane No. 1 circled the Air Station, possibly looking for the pilot. Later, officials at the crash site called for the coroner.

Authorities say the pilot, still not identified, was killed in the crash.

It was not immediately known whether anyone else was hurt in the crash.

The Blue Angel clipped power lines near Shanklin Road in Burton about 4 p.m. and went down about 30 minutes into the unit's show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

There is debris and fire near the scene, but it is unclear if houses are on fire.

Check islandpacket.com and beaufortgazette.com for continuing updates from the scene.

[savafan]

Sad. I know that this isn't the first time this has happened. Does anyone know the count on just how many Blue Angels pilots have lost their lives while performing?

[Redsland]

Very sad news.

[RFS62]

What a terrible thing. The best of the best.

[Blimpie]

I've been to Beaufort (near Hilton Head) a few times for work. I believe it is where they filmed several potions of "Forrest Gump"

[SunDeck]

Sad news.
I don't understand how something like that doesn't happen every time those guys perform. What they do is death defying.

[dman]

The name of the pilot hasn't been released yet, but from the info that has been put out there it sounds like LCDR Kevin Davis, #6 Opposing Solo. From his bio, he seems like he was on squared away pilot. I know you have to be sharp to be a Ble Angel, but he sounded better than most. Really, really sad. If I'm wrong on the person, I apologize.

LCDR Kevin J. Davis


United States Navy
Opposing Solo

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1992 where he played football and was active with the Civil Air Patrol. He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science with honors in 1996.

Kevin reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer Candidate School and aviation indoctrination in September 1996. He completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk, and received his wings of gold in June 1999.

Kevin reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training in the F-14 Tomcat and was the “Top Stick” in his class. In July 2000 he reported to the VF-11 “Red Rippers” where he completed deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). While with the “Red Rippers,” Kevin served as the airframes/corrosion branch officer, air-to-ground training officer and head landing signals officer. His deployments included extended operations in the North Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In July 2003, Kevin transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet through Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) at NAS Lemoore, California, and then reported to the Fighter Composite Squadron (VFC-12) “Omars,” stationed at NAS Oceana, Virginia. While at VFC-12, Kevin served as a Navy adversary pilot providing valuable air-to-air training for fleet squadrons. In December of 2004, Kevin graduated from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) as an adversary pilot. During his tour at VFC-12, Kevin worked as the schedules officer, legal officer, FRS/SFARP officer and assistant operations officer.

Kevin joined the Blue Angels in September 2005. He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and 200 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Air Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Originally Posted by savafan

Sad. I know that this isn't the first time this has happened. Does anyone know the count on just how many Blue Angels pilots have lost their lives while performing?

From wikipedia... In their entire history, 24 pilots from the group have been killed in air show or training accidents.