Pilot error in Blue Angel crash

Marine Corps pilot Captain Jeff Kuss was flying too fast and low and lost control of his Blue Angels F-A/18 jet in early June during a practice session for an air show in Smyrna, Tenn. The Navy crash report released Sept. 15 cited pilot error as the cause of the June 2 crash, and said that weather and fatigue were contributing factors. The accident occurred when Kuss, flying Blue Angel No. 6, was doing a Split S maneuver when he crashed. Chief of Naval Aviation Training report recommended numerous short-term and longer-term changes to the flight demonstration program. (Sources: multiple, including CNN, 09/16/16, Navy Times, 09/15/16) Gulf Coast note: The Blue Angels are based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.