Pilot confirmed killed in Blue Angels crash

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. — Authorities confirm a pilot was killed Thursday when a Blue Angels airplane crashed near the Rutherford County Airport in Middle Tennessee.

The crash reportedly happened during practice for this weekend’s Great Tennessee Airshow in Smyrna.

The Navy says the pilot was beginning to take off during an afternoon practice session when the crash happened, according to the Associated Press. Harry Gill, the town manager in Smyrna just outside Nashville, said that the pilot was the only casualty and no civilians were hurt on the ground. A U.S. official identified the pilot as Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss. Five other F/A-18 jets landed safely moments later. The Navy says it is investigating.

Earlier Thursday, a similar accident involving a Thunderbird aircraft happened at the Air Force Academy graduation in Colorado, with President Obama in attendance. The pilot in that incident ejected safely.