Draft:2016 Blue Angels Tennessee crash

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2016 Blue Angels Tennessee crash
Lt. Ryan Chamberlain and Cpt. Jeff Kuss on May 25, 2016, during the Naval Academy Airshow. Kuss, who was Blue Angel No. 6, died roughly a week later in Smyrna in a fatal crash.
Accident
DateJune 2, 2016 (2016-06-02)
SummaryPilot Jeff Kuss suffered from fatigue and made an error during a Split-S maneuver, being too low and too fast to finish the maneuver, resulting in a fatal crash.
SiteSmyrna, Tennessee, U.S.
Total fatalities1
Aircraft
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
OperatorBlue Angels
Registration163445[1]
Crew1
Fatalities1
Survivors0
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities0
Ground injuries0

The 2016 Blue Angels Tennessee crash occurred on Thursday, June 2, 2016, when the Number 6 US Navy Blue Angels jet crashed during a practice flight over Smyrna, Tennessee. The pilot, Captain Jeff Kuss, 32, died.[2] The incident occurred roughly 2 miles away from Smyrna Airport.[3]

The crash was attributed to pilot error and cloudy weather.[4] Nobody on the ground was hurt.[5] The Blue Angels cancelled their performance in the Great Tennessee Air Show after the crash as well as scheduled performances in Syracuse and Dayton.[6][7]

Accident

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The following day, the downed pilot was identified as Captain Jeff Kuss.

At approximately 3:01 p.m., shortly after takeoff, Cpt. Kuss attempted to perform a Split S maneuver during practice.[8][9] While his afterburners were still on, he began diving to finish the maneuver, but was going too fast at too low of an altitude. After realizing he was going to crash, he attempted to eject from the plane, but was too late.[8] He had stated over the radio just before the crash that he had turned his afterburners off, but it was later found out that was not true.[4]

In the report released by the Navy, it was reported that his behavior prior to the incident was unusual, neither signing for his aircraft nor activating his transponder.[1]

Aftermath

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Following the crash, the other 5 Blue Angels were ordered to land immediately.[10][11] His funeral was held in Durango, Colorado, his hometown, on June 11, 2016. A Marine flyover and 21-gun salute were performed during the funeral in honor of Kuss.[12] A memorial was installed in Smyrna in honor of Kuss in 2017, including a F/A-18C Hornet painted and numbered identically to Kuss's downed plane.[13][14]

Navy officials ordered changes to regulations following the crash, allowing pilots to opt-out of flying when feeling unwell and allowing for more rest time.[4] Scheduled performances in Syracuse and Dayton that June were cancelled following the incident.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The US Navy Has Concluded Its Investigation into the Crash of Blue Angel Capt. Jeff Kuss". TACAIRNET. September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  2. ^ Visser, Steven (June 3, 2016). "Killed Blue Angels pilot identified". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  3. ^ Crawford, Jamie; Almasy, Steve (June 3, 2016). "Blue Angels pilot killed in Tennessee crash". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Myers, Meghann (September 15, 2016). "The mistakes that led to a deadly Blue Angels crash — and how the Navy wants to prevent them". Navy Times. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "Blue Angels F/A-18 plane crashes while practicing for air show in Tennessee". ABC 7 News. June 2, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  6. ^ Broden, Scott (February 7, 2023). "Blue Angels return for 2nd time to Smyrna air show since death of Capt. Jeff Kuss". Daily News Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Elliott, Megan (June 9, 2016). "Blue Angels Airshow Cancelled Following Crashes". Flying Mag. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Lendon, Brad (September 19, 2016). "Blue Angels crash blamed on pilot error". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  9. ^ Searles, Kaylin (June 2, 2016). "Pilot killed in U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Crash in Smyrna". FOX 17 Nashville. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Blue Angels pilot killed in crash flew at Cherry Point Air Show". The Daily News. June 2, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  11. ^ Hodge Seck, Hope (September 15, 2016). "Botched Maneuver Caused Blue Angels Pilot's Death: Investigation". Military.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  12. ^ "Funeral Service Held for Blue Angels Pilot Killed in Tenn. Crash". NBC News. June 11, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  13. ^ DeGennaro, Nancy (May 18, 2017). "Blue Angels crash: Smyrna memorial to honor fallen pilot". Daily News Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  14. ^ Baird, Brittney (June 2, 2021). "Wednesday marks 5 years since Blue Angels jet crash in Smyrna". WKRN. Retrieved September 17, 2025.