2016 Blue Angels Tennessee crash

2016 aviation accident October 2026 October 2026 2016 Blue Angels Tennessee crash Blue Angels perform the Fortus maneuver at the United States Naval Academy Air Show. (27277335942).jpg Lt. Ryan Chamberlain and Cpt. Jeff Kuss on 25 May 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 2016 06 02 y Pilot 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. Smyrna, Tennessee, U.S. 1 0 0 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Blue Angels 163455 1 1 0 The 2016 Blue Angels Tennessee crash occurred on Thursday, 2 June 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.Visser Steven 3 June 2016 Killed Blue Angels pilot identified https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/03/politics/blue-angels-pilot-identified/ 17 September 2025 CNN The incident occurred roughly 2 miles away from Smyrna Airport.Crawford Jamie Almasy Steve 3 June 2016 Blue Angels pilot killed in Tennessee crash https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/02/politics/military-plane-crash/index.html 17 September 2025 CNN The crash was attributed to pilot error and cloudy weather.Myers Meghann 15 September 2016 The mistakes that led to a deadly Blue Angels crash — and how the Navy wants to prevent them https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/09/15/the-mistakes-that-led-to-a-deadly-blue-angels-crash-and-how-the-navy-wants-to-prevent-them/ 17 September 2025 Navy Times Nobody on the ground was hurt.2 June 2016 Blue Angels F/A-18 plane crashes while practicing for air show in Tennessee https://abc7news.com/post/blue-angels-f-a-18-plane-crashes-while-practicing-for-air-show-in-tennessee/1368767/ 17 September 2025 ABC 7 News The Blue Angels cancelled their performance in the Great Tennessee Air Show after the crash as well as scheduled performances in Syracuse and Dayton.Broden Scott 7 February 2023 Blue Angels return for 2nd time to Smyrna air show since death of Capt. Jeff Kuss https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2023/02/07/navy-blue-angels-return-to-the-great-tn-air-show-june-2023-in-smyrna/69877057007/ subscription 17 September 2025 Daily News JournalElliott Megan 9 June 2016 Blue Angels Airshow Cancelled Following Crashes https://www.flyingmag.com/blue-angels-and-thunderbirds-cancel-shows-following-crashes/ 17 September 2025 Flying Mag Accident thumb|Incident pilot Jeff Kuss (a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps) At approximately 3:01 p.m., shortly after takeoff, Captain Kuss attempted to perform a Split S maneuver during practice.Lendon Brad 19 September 2016 Blue Angels crash blamed on pilot error https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/16/politics/navy-blue-angels-crash-cause 17 September 2025 CNNSearles Kaylin 2 June 2016 Pilot killed in U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Crash in Smyrna https://fox17.com/news/local/us-navy-blue-angel-jet-crashes-in-smyrna-dispatchers-say 17 September 2025 FOX 17 Nashville 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. 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. 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.15 September 2016 The US Navy Has Concluded Its Investigation into the Crash of Blue Angel Capt. Jeff Kuss https://tacairnet.com/2016/09/15/the-us-navy-has-concluded-its-investigation-into-the-crash-of-blue-angel-capt-jeff-kuss/ 17 September 2025 TACAIRNET Aftermath Following the crash, the other 5 Blue Angels were ordered to land immediately.2 June 2016 Blue Angels pilot killed in crash flew at Cherry Point Air Show https://www.jdnews.com/news/blue-angels-pilot-killed-in-crash-flew-at-cherry-point-air-show/article_3a69cea8-f823-58e8-89c7-01eff88814ea.html 17 September 2025 The Daily NewsHodge Seck Hope 15 September 2016 Botched Maneuver Caused Blue Angels Pilot's Death: Investigation https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/09/15/botched-maneuver-caused-blue-angels-pilots-death-investigation.html 17 September 2025 Military.com His funeral was held in Durango, Colorado, his hometown, on 11 June 2016. A Marine flyover and 21-gun salute were performed during the funeral in honor of Kuss.11 June 2016 Funeral Service Held for Blue Angels Pilot Killed in Tenn. Crash https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/funeral-service-held-blue-angels-pilot-killed-tenn-crash-n590361 17 September 2025 NBC News 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.DeGennaro Nancy 18 May 2017 Blue Angels crash: Smyrna memorial to honor fallen pilot https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2017/05/19/smyrna-memorialize-capt-kuss/323325001/ 17 September 2025 Daily News JournalBaird Brittney 2 June 2021 Wednesday marks 5 years since Blue Angels jet crash in Smyrna https://www.wkrn.com/news/wednesday-marks-5-years-since-blue-angels-jet-crash-in-smyrna/ 17 September 2025 WKRN https://web.archive.org/web/20210602100837/https://www.wkrn.com/news/wednesday-marks-5-years-since-blue-angels-jet-crash-in-smyrna/ 2 June 2021 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. Scheduled performances in Syracuse and Dayton that June were cancelled following the incident. See also 2007 Blue Angels South Carolina crash References Category:Accidental deaths in Tennessee Category:Aviation accidents and incidents at air shows Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 2016 Category:Disasters in Tennessee Category:2016 in Tennessee Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Tennessee Category:June 2016 in the United States Category:Accidents and incidents involving United States Navy and Marine Corps aircraft Category:Smyrna, Tennessee