City Of Smyrna Honors Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss

A U.S. military official has identified the Blue Angels pilot fatally injured in an practice accident Thursday as Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.

Kuss was taking off from the Smyrna, TN airport when the accident occurred. His plane went down about two miles from the runway. The other five aircraft returned safely to the airport.

The Navy has not officially released the pilot's name, but The Tennessean newspaper reports that a U.S. official told the Associated Press that Capt. Kuss was the pilot. The official requested anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. The Navy normally holds such information for 24 hours after notification of next of kin, according to a news release.

Residents of Smyrna held a candlelight vigil for Kuss following the accident.

The Blue Angels were scheduled to perform in the Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend, but the Navy said in a news release that the team would not be performing. An investigation into the accident has been opened by the Navy.

The accident is the first for the Blue Angels in nearly 10 years, according to the report.

(U.S. Navy image)

FMI: www.navy.mil