Jump to content

2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 32°26′59″N 80°46′19″W / 32.44972°N 80.77194°W / 32.44972; -80.77194
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
m Removed 1 wayback link. Wayback Medic 2
Rescuing 2 sources and tagging 2 as dead. #IABot (v1.2.7.1)
Line 17: Line 17:
}}
}}


The '''2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash''' occurred on April 21, 2007, when the Number 6 [[United States Navy|US Navy]] [[Blue Angels]] jet crashed during the final minutes of an air show at the [[Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort]] in [[Beaufort, South Carolina]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2122401820070421 U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" jet crashes], Reuters, April 21, 2007 7:32PM EDT</ref> The sole fatality was confirmed and identified as the pilot, [[Lieutenant Commander]] Kevin "Kojak" Davis, by the Blue Angels on April 22, 2007.<ref>[http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/12736945/detail.html Report: Blue Angels Pilot Dies In S.C. Plane Crash], [[Associated Press]] article, Posted on NBCSandiego.com, UPDATED: 3:33 pm PDT April 22, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818202026/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/12736945/detail.html |date=August 18, 2007 }}</ref> The body of the pilot and the [[flight recorder]] were later recovered and moved to the local coroner's office.<ref name ="fox interview">Fox News Live: 22 April 7, 10:08 AM Live Interview</ref>
The '''2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash''' occurred on April 21, 2007, when the Number 6 [[United States Navy|US Navy]] [[Blue Angels]] jet crashed during the final minutes of an air show at the [[Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort]] in [[Beaufort, South Carolina]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2122401820070421 U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" jet crashes], Reuters, April 21, 2007 7:32PM EDT</ref> The sole fatality was confirmed and identified as the pilot, [[Lieutenant Commander]] Kevin "Kojak" Davis, by the Blue Angels on April 22, 2007.<ref>[http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/12736945/detail.html Report: Blue Angels Pilot Dies In S.C. Plane Crash] {{wayback|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/12736945/detail.html |date=20070818202026 }}, [[Associated Press]] article, Posted on NBCSandiego.com, UPDATED: 3:33 pm PDT April 22, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818202026/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/12736945/detail.html |date=August 18, 2007 }}</ref> The body of the pilot and the [[flight recorder]] were later recovered and moved to the local coroner's office.<ref name ="fox interview">Fox News Live: 22 April 7, 10:08 AM Live Interview</ref>
There were eight injuries reported on the ground.
There were eight injuries reported on the ground.


Line 23: Line 23:


==Initial reporting==
==Initial reporting==
[[Image:Final Flight Kevin Davis.jpg|thumb|right|Blue Angel #5, Lt. Cmdr. John Allison, lead solo pilot and Blue Angel #6, Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis, opposing solo pilot, perform the fortus, a wingtip-to-wingtip maneuver, during Lt. Cmdr. Davis' fatal flight<ref name="jetsstream">[http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 Lowcountry Mourns Loss of Fallen Blue Angel] ([http://www.thejetstreamonline.com/issues/pdfs/jet042707.pdf PDF version]), The Jet Stream online, USMC, April 27, 2007 print edition{{cite web|url=http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-04-28 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121221609/http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 |archivedate=November 21, 2007 |df=mdy }} </ref>]]
[[Image:Final Flight Kevin Davis.jpg|thumb|right|Blue Angel #5, Lt. Cmdr. John Allison, lead solo pilot and Blue Angel #6, Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis, opposing solo pilot, perform the fortus, a wingtip-to-wingtip maneuver, during Lt. Cmdr. Davis' fatal flight<ref name="jetsstream">[http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 Lowcountry Mourns Loss of Fallen Blue Angel] {{wayback|url=http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 |date=20071121221609 }} ([http://www.thejetstreamonline.com/issues/pdfs/jet042707.pdf PDF version]), The Jet Stream online, USMC, April 27, 2007 print edition{{cite web|url=http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-04-28 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121221609/http://the-jetsstream.wehaa-server.com/catalog.php?catalog_id=18 |archivedate=November 21, 2007 |df=mdy }} </ref>]]
[[Image:Kevin davis.jpg|thumb|upright|Family friends identified the downed pilot as Kevin "Kojak" Davis]]
[[Image:Kevin davis.jpg|thumb|upright|Family friends identified the downed pilot as Kevin "Kojak" Davis]]
Early reporting indicated that all six [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]]s of the Blue Angels were making their final turns into the landing pattern when Blue Angel #6 flew behind the audience and low over a tree-line, three miles away from air show center, and possibly clipped power lines and a tall pine tree near Shanklin Road. This was followed by a large plume of black smoke, which Blue Angel #1 immediately began to circle while the others landed. A local official later said that due to safety regulations, there was only a very slim possibility that the tree or power lines could have brought the aircraft down. The aircraft slid for two hundred to three hundred yards after it hit the ground, crashing through homes and vehicles.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070421/ap_on_re_us/blue_angel_crash Pilot killed in S.C. Blue Angel crash], By Bruce Smith, [[Associated Press]], Posted on Yahoo News Sat April 21, 7:47 PM ET {{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> Seconds after the crash, several rescue helicopters and local emergency vehicles went to the crash site in response to [[9-1-1]] calls.<ref>[http://www.kptv.com/news/12736945/detail.html Report: Blue Angels Pilot Dies In S.C. Plane Crash] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524033610/http://www.kptv.com/news/12736945/detail.html |date=May 24, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.beaufortgazette.com/breaking_news/story/6477257p-5768379c.html Blue Angel crashes; pilot killed; eyewitness reports home caught fire] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928215543/http://www.beaufortgazette.com/breaking_news/story/6477257p-5768379c.html |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> The [[United States Navy|Navy]] identified the pilot as [[Lieutenant Commander|LCDR]] Kevin J. Davis of [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], the opposing solo in the #6 jet.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blue Angel Pilot Killed in Air Show Crash Identified |publisher=US Navy |date=April 23, 2007 <!--10:47:00 AM --> |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29011 |id=NNS070423-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430114048/http://www.news.navy.mil:80/search/display.asp?story_id=29011 |archivedate=April 30, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref>
Early reporting indicated that all six [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]]s of the Blue Angels were making their final turns into the landing pattern when Blue Angel #6 flew behind the audience and low over a tree-line, three miles away from air show center, and possibly clipped power lines and a tall pine tree near Shanklin Road. This was followed by a large plume of black smoke, which Blue Angel #1 immediately began to circle while the others landed. A local official later said that due to safety regulations, there was only a very slim possibility that the tree or power lines could have brought the aircraft down. The aircraft slid for two hundred to three hundred yards after it hit the ground, crashing through homes and vehicles.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070421/ap_on_re_us/blue_angel_crash Pilot killed in S.C. Blue Angel crash]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, By Bruce Smith, [[Associated Press]], Posted on Yahoo News Sat April 21, 7:47 PM ET {{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> Seconds after the crash, several rescue helicopters and local emergency vehicles went to the crash site in response to [[9-1-1]] calls.<ref>[http://www.kptv.com/news/12736945/detail.html Report: Blue Angels Pilot Dies In S.C. Plane Crash] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524033610/http://www.kptv.com/news/12736945/detail.html |date=May 24, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.beaufortgazette.com/breaking_news/story/6477257p-5768379c.html Blue Angel crashes; pilot killed; eyewitness reports home caught fire] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928215543/http://www.beaufortgazette.com/breaking_news/story/6477257p-5768379c.html |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> The [[United States Navy|Navy]] identified the pilot as [[Lieutenant Commander|LCDR]] Kevin J. Davis of [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], the opposing solo in the #6 jet.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blue Angel Pilot Killed in Air Show Crash Identified |publisher=US Navy |date=April 23, 2007 <!--10:47:00 AM --> |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29011 |id=NNS070423-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430114048/http://www.news.navy.mil:80/search/display.asp?story_id=29011 |archivedate=April 30, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref>


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Line 40: Line 40:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=162437&distinct_entry=true Pre-accident pictures of the aircraft]
*[http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=162437&distinct_entry=true Pre-accident pictures of the aircraft]
*[http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801150324 Report information issued by the Pensacola Journal]
*[http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801150324 Report information issued by the Pensacola Journal]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/miscellaneous-reports/BlueAngelsJAGReport.pdf JAG Manual Investigation Basic Report Redacted Copy]
*[http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/miscellaneous-reports/BlueAngelsJAGReport.pdf JAG Manual Investigation Basic Report Redacted Copy]



Revision as of 09:01, 2 January 2017

2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash
Accident
DateApril 21, 2007 (2007-04-21)
SummaryG-LOC
SiteNear Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Beaufort, South Carolina, United States
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
OperatorUnited States Navy aerobatic team the Blue Angels
Registration162897
Crew1
Fatalities1 (Pilot)
Injuries8 (on the ground)
Survivors0

The 2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash occurred on April 21, 2007, when the Number 6 US Navy Blue Angels jet crashed during the final minutes of an air show at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in Beaufort, South Carolina.[1] The sole fatality was confirmed and identified as the pilot, Lieutenant Commander Kevin "Kojak" Davis, by the Blue Angels on April 22, 2007.[2] The body of the pilot and the flight recorder were later recovered and moved to the local coroner's office.[3] There were eight injuries reported on the ground.

A report was released on January 15, 2008, ending the investigation by the Navy into the crash. The report states that when Lieutenant Commander Davis pulled back into a 6.8-g pull, he lost control of the aircraft due to G-force-induced Loss Of Consciousness (G-LOC).[4]

Initial reporting

Blue Angel #5, Lt. Cmdr. John Allison, lead solo pilot and Blue Angel #6, Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis, opposing solo pilot, perform the fortus, a wingtip-to-wingtip maneuver, during Lt. Cmdr. Davis' fatal flight[5]
Family friends identified the downed pilot as Kevin "Kojak" Davis

Early reporting indicated that all six McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets of the Blue Angels were making their final turns into the landing pattern when Blue Angel #6 flew behind the audience and low over a tree-line, three miles away from air show center, and possibly clipped power lines and a tall pine tree near Shanklin Road. This was followed by a large plume of black smoke, which Blue Angel #1 immediately began to circle while the others landed. A local official later said that due to safety regulations, there was only a very slim possibility that the tree or power lines could have brought the aircraft down. The aircraft slid for two hundred to three hundred yards after it hit the ground, crashing through homes and vehicles.[6] Seconds after the crash, several rescue helicopters and local emergency vehicles went to the crash site in response to 9-1-1 calls.[7][8] The Navy identified the pilot as LCDR Kevin J. Davis of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the opposing solo in the #6 jet.[9]

Aftermath

The Blue Angels returned to their home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, to discuss continuing their season.[10] Sunday's air show went on as planned but, in a special tribute, the GEICO Skytypers flew the missing man formation in honor of the fallen Blue Angel.[5]

Soon after LCDR Davis’ crash, the Blue Angels began performing a five-jet demonstration. The squadron called back former Blue Angel, LCDR Craig Olson, to fill the opposing solo position. He began performing after practicing with the team for a few weeks. LCDR Olson had previously served with the squadron from 2003 to 2005, during which time he flew both solo positions.

See also

References

  1. ^ U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" jet crashes, Reuters, April 21, 2007 7:32PM EDT
  2. ^ Report: Blue Angels Pilot Dies In S.C. Plane Crash Template:Wayback, Associated Press article, Posted on NBCSandiego.com, UPDATED: 3:33 pm PDT April 22, 2007 Archived August 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Fox News Live: 22 April 7, 10:08 AM Live Interview
  4. ^ Amos, Smith, "Report: Blue Angels pilot became disoriented", Military Times, January 16, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Lowcountry Mourns Loss of Fallen Blue Angel Template:Wayback (PDF version), The Jet Stream online, USMC, April 27, 2007 print edition"Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Pilot killed in S.C. Blue Angel crash[permanent dead link], By Bruce Smith, Associated Press, Posted on Yahoo News Sat April 21, 7:47 PM ET [dead link]
  7. ^ Report: Blue Angels Pilot Dies In S.C. Plane Crash Archived May 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Blue Angel crashes; pilot killed; eyewitness reports home caught fire Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Blue Angel Pilot Killed in Air Show Crash Identified". US Navy. April 23, 2007. NNS070423-01. Archived from the original on April 30, 2007. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Blue Angels back home to mourn pilot". Boston Herald. Associated Press. April 24, 2007.[dead link]

32°26′59″N 80°46′19″W / 32.44972°N 80.77194°W / 32.44972; -80.77194