Blue Angels Plane Clips Pine Tree to Crash

Beaufort, South Carolina - April 21, 2007 - During an air show in Beaufort, South Carolina a Blue Angels' plane clipped a pine tree and crashed. The pilot was killed from the impact of the crash. There were approximately 8 people on the ground injured from the debris from the airplane crash.

The crowd was in virtual silence when they saw the crash happen with the F-18 airplane. The plane went out of formation and clipped a tree. There is debris scattered for miles and authorities are asking citizens to not handle or take the debris from the plane. Investigators will need to be going to the different areas of the debris scatter to collect data and more information about the cause of the flight. The neighborhoods have been blocked off. People are not allowed into the area unless they can show identification that they have a residence in the area.

Was there a mechanical failure? There is not any certainty at the time of the accident. It is noted though that the planes are highly maintained. The planes are checked over and over prior to air shows. Until more investigation is done, it is not known why the F-18 fell out of formation and fatally crashed to the ground. There is much speculation going on about the crash cause.

Following the department of defense policies the name and other information about the pilot is being with-held from the public for 24 hours after the crash. Only the family and close friends will know the identity of the pilot of the F-18.

The air show is scheduled for two days. Even though people are grieving and in shock the show will continue. There will be a missing man formation flown by another air team in honor and in rememberance of the crash today. Notably, the Blue Angels will not be flying in the air show on Sunday.

Spectators watched the beautiful air show in virtually perfect weather conditions. There are huge fires as a result of the crash which left debris inside and on homes in the neighborhood that it crashed into. Cars, homes, and personal property have been damaged. Fire crews are at a top priority trying to contain the fires that started because of the crash.