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Blue Angels pilot killed in crash; no civilians hurt

Posted at 5:06 PM, Jun 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-02 18:54:08-04

SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) —  An official in Tennessee says a pilot was killed when his Blue Angels fighter jet crashed, but no civilians were hurt on the ground.

Harry Gill, the town manager in Smyrna just outside Nashville, said Thursday that the pilot was the only casualty. Some power outages were caused by the crash, but no civilians were hurt.

A U.S. official says the pilot was identified as Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Navy says the pilot was beginning to take off during an afternoon practice session when the crash happened. Five other F/A-18 jets landed safely moments later.

The elite acrobatics team was scheduled to perform at an air show this weekend.