Jet shoots just inches above terrified beachgoers as US Navy launches probe

New Dispatch Published Jul 16, 2026 Reviewed Jul 16, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Demonstration jets are generally kept at a minimum height of 500 feet above ground level, but can fly as low as 50 feet above ground level for specified manoeuvres.

The official Pensacola Beach Airshow, where the Blue Angels will perform over the beach, is still scheduled for July 18.

The US Navy stated that during an arrival manoeuvre, an aircraft flew lower than standard profiles, resulting in a disturbance on the beach that affected civilian chairs and umbrellas, describing the incident as a 'low-altitude pass'.

A Blue Angels spokesman stated: 'The safety of our hometown community, spectators, and our pilots is our highest priority' and confirmed that team leadership is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the manoeuvre and conducting a thorough safety review to ensure all operations adhere to strict Navy and FAA safety standards.

The US Navy launched a probe after a Blue Angels F/A-18E jet conducted a low-altitude pass over Pensacola Beach, kicking up sand, sending chairs flying, and collapsing canopies during a 'Breakfast with the Blues' event.

The US Navy has launched a prob after chaos erupted on a Florida beach when jets shot just over beachgoers' heads.

The Blue Angels, an elite demonstration unit like the RAF Red Arrows were seen speeding above a beach in Florida on Wednesday morning.

Video showed a Boeing F/A-18E fly close enough to the ground at Pensacola Beach to kick up sand, send chairs flying, and collapsing canopies.

The navy told US outlet ABC's North Florida affiliate the flyover happened during a "Breakfast with the Blues" event.

The US Navy said in a statement: "During an arrival manoeuvre, an aircraft flew lower than standard profiles, resulting in a disturbance on the beach that affected civilian chairs and umbrellas", describing the incident as a "low-altitude pass".

One beachgoer, Ashley Korn, said she had been attending the event for 10 years and had never seen anything like the pass.

"I literally thought we were going to be taken out by Blue Angels, but it was amazing," she added.

Another onlooker, Samantha Mayne, said despite the damage at the beach, it was enjoyable to watch.

She said: "It was so big we thought it was Fat Albert.

"All of our tents got knocked down ... It was worth it. It was awesome."

And Lane Wilkerson said he was likely to remember the flyover "for the rest of my life".

Fat Albert is the Blue Angel's C-130 Hercules, used to transport personnel and military equipment to facilitate air demonstrations.

The large cargo plane also participates in some routines, the only C-130 Hercules which participates in flying displays.

The Blue Angels fly out of Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida.

The demonstration squad performs weekly drills at the airbase, which are open to the public.

Demonstration jets are generally kept at a minimum height of 500 feet above ground level, but can fly as low as 50 feet above ground level for specified manoeuvres.

The official Pensacola Beach Airshow, where the angels will perform over the beach, is still scheduled for July 18.

A spokesman for the Blue Angels said: "The safety of our hometown community, spectators, and our pilots is our highest priority.

"Team leadership is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the manoeuvre and conducting a thorough safety review to ensure all operations adhere to strict Navy and FAA safety standards."

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