How many Blue Angels have died? Crash history explored

Following the release of The Blue Angels on May 23, 2024, in IMAX theatres and Amazon Prime Video, audiences have been eager to know about the history of the unit that took center stage in the approximately 1-hour 32-minute documentary. The unit is also known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.

SFGate reports that at least 1 out of 10 demonstration pilots associated with the group have died on-job in recent years. It also reports that there have been as many as 27 casualties in crashes in the unit - 26 pilots and 1 crew member.

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A complete history of Blue Angels tragedies

The unit presents an aerial show during Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs(Image via Getty)

The Blue Angels unit has had a dark history filled with irreparable tragedies. The list of death-related mishaps registered by the exclusive group predates the official launch of the unit itself.

The first pilot of the troop was killed as early as September 1946. He was a 24-year-old combat veteran named Ross Robinson. While performing in one of the aerial shows in Jacksonville, Florida, Robinson's plane crashed to the ground and disintegrated into parts, thereby killing him.

Approximately four years later, in the 1950s, two pilots died in the unit, followed by six more in the 1960s. Additionally, four more people died during combat missions in Korea and Southeast Asia, taking the number of casualties up to 13. However, this was only the beginning of the catastrophic period as there were several other similar incidents in the years to come.

In February 1972, Lt. Larry Watters, 29, crashed into the Superstition Mountains near El Centro, California, while performing an upside-down trick. He was killed immediately in the impact.

Then, several months later, when the team of jets arrived at Lakehurst Maxfield Field, New Jersey, two two-seater F-4 Phantom jets made contact with one another and crashed to the ground instantaneously. There were no survivors. Among the lives lost in the crash were Lt. Cmdr. Skip Umstead, Capt. Mike Murphy, and jet engine mechanic Ron Thoma.

Again in 2007, when the unit was closing a show in Beaufort, South Carolina, Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis' jet was left behind. Assuming that he was facing minor glitches with his aircraft, the rest continued the show, only to find out later that his jet had crashed onto the ground. Davis was only 32 when he lost his life in the crash.

On June 2, 2016, history repeated itself as Captain Jeff Kuss collapsed to the ground while onboard during a practice run near Smyrna Airport, Tennessee. This incident marked the end of the death toll related to the exclusive unit.

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How many Blue Angels are there?

The contingent flies over Dallas Area To Honor Healthcare, Frontline And Essential Workers(Image via Getty)

Currently, the Blue Angels comprise of 17 members. Here are the names of the people associated with the group:

• Commander Alexander P. Armatas
• Lieutenant Commander Jack Keilty
• Lieutenant James Wesley Perkins
• Lieutenant Commander Amanda Lee
• Lieutenant Commander Griffin Stangel
• Commander Thomas Zimmerman
• Lieutenant Connor O’Donnell
• Lieutenant Commander Brian Vaught
• Major Joshua Soltan
• Captain Samuel Petko
• Isaac Van Zandt Becker
• Lieutenant Commander Gregory R. Jones
• Lieutenant Commander Natalia Luchetti
• Lieutenant Commander Philippe A. Warren
• Lieutenant Junior Grade Mara Mason, and
• Lieutenant Benjamin Bushong

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How much do Blue Angels get paid?

Blue Angels And Thunderbirds Flyover D.C. Area In Tribute Of Healthcare Workers And First Responders(Image via Getty)

According to Salary.com, members of the Blue Angels get paid according to their location, category, and department. Salaries for the same job can differ based on different factors such as experience, training, level of education, skills and competencies. In the unit, the highest-paying jobs are that of pilots while the lowest-paying ones are that of Public Affairs Assistants.

Given below is a table highlighting the salaries received by the various members of the unit:

Role	Salary Range
Pilot	124,456 - 151,976 dollars
Avionics Technician	47,452 - 58,567 dollars
Public Affairs Assistant	41,657 - 50,075 dollars

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Are Blue Angels TOPGUN pilots?

US Naval Academy Holds Commencement Ceremony In Annapolis(Image via Getty)

Some people think that Blue Angels need to be TOPGUN pilots first to be a part of the squad. However, that is untrue. The latter is not a prerequisite for the former.

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Since, 2016, there have been no Blue Angels deaths.