The US Navy’s legendary Blue Angels squadron has launched a safety review after one of its fighter jets tore across a packed Florida beach at an alarmingly low altitude.
The probe comes after thousands of spectators gathered for the Blue Angels’ annual ‘Breakfast with the Blues’ flyover at Pensacola Beach on Wednesday morning, when an F/A-18 Super Hornet screamed along the shoreline in a low pass that unleashed a powerful jet wash from the aircraft’s engines.
Shocking footage captured by bystanders shows the sleek fighter roaring over sunbathers as tents collapse, umbrellas flip inside out and plumes of sand erupt across the beach.
Beachgoers were forced to grab their belongings and duck for cover as the jet’s exhaust blasted across the shoreline, with some spectators describing the moment as both terrifying and unforgettable.
The Blue Angels later confirmed that one aircraft had flown ‘lower than standard profiles’ during the arrival and confirmed that team leadership had launched a review into the incident.
‘The safety of our hometown community, spectators, and our pilots is our highest priority,’ the squadron said in a statement.
‘Team leadership is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the maneuver and conducting a thorough safety review to ensure all operations adhere to strict Navy and FAA safety standards.’
Officials reported the flyover caused a ‘disturbance on the beach’ but no serious injuries were reported.
The U.S. Navy’s elite Blue Angels demonstration squadron has launched a safety review after one of its fighter jets flew unusually low over packed Florida beaches
Thousands of spectators gathered to attend the Blue Angels’ annual ‘Breakfast with the Blues’ flyover at Pensacola Beach on Wednesday morning, when the F/A-18 Super Hornet made an unusually low pass over the shoreline
Witnesses described the flyover as unlike anything they had previously experienced. Towering plumes of sand filled the air while beach umbrellas toppled over and chairs were hurled across the shoreline by the force of the aircraft’s exhaust
Bystander Ashley Korn told WEAR: ‘I’ve been coming for 10 years and I’ve never seen a pass like that in my life.’
‘I literally thought we were going to be taken out by Blue Angels, but it was so amazing,’ the stunned spectator said.
Another witness said the jet blast knocked over tents and scattered equipment, but added that the dramatic moment was something they would never forget.
The flyover formed part of Pensacola’s annual ‘Breakfast with the Blues’ event, held ahead of the Pensacola Beach Air Show, which attracts huge crowds each summer to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The Blue Angels have called Naval Air Station Pensacola home since 1946, making the city synonymous with the Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron.
Created shortly after World War II, the team was established to showcase the skill and professionalism of US naval aviators while promoting public interest in naval aviation and inspiring future recruits.
Today, the squadron flies the Boeing F/A-18E and F Super Hornet, a twin-engine fighter jet capable of reaching speeds close to Mach 1.8.
During performances, pilots push their aircraft to the limit, flying just 18 inches apart while executing precision maneuvers under extreme forces of up to 7.5 G.
Pensacola holds special significance for the squadron as both its home base and the location of one of its most popular annual performances, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the beaches to watch the display
The Blue Angels have been based at Naval Air Station Pensacola since 1946, making the city synonymous with the Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron
But behind the breathtaking displays are strict safety rules. Every display is meticulously choreographed and practiced, with strict altitude and safety requirements governing each maneuver.
Even minor departures from approved flight profiles are typically reviewed under Navy safety procedures.
The incident is particularly significant because Pensacola is considered the spiritual home of the Blue Angels, with thousands of fans traveling each year to watch the team perform above the city’s beaches.
The Pensacola Beach Air Show is expected to continue as planned while the Navy completes its internal review.
The Navy has not indicated whether any disciplinary action will result from the investigation.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Blue Angels for comment.
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