Pilot Dead After Blue Angels Jet Crashes In Tennessee

SMYRNA, Tenn. (WJZ) -- A Blue Angel fighter jet has crashed in Tennessee, killing the pilot.

Authorities say the Navy F/A-18 jet crashed outside Nashville Thursday at the Smyrna Airport. The pilot had just taken off to start an afternoon practice for an air show this weekend.

According to the Associated Press, the pilot was Marine Captain Jeff Kuss of Colorado. According to his official Blue Angels biography, Kuss, joined the elite acrobatics team in 2014 and accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours.

The Naval Academy tells WJZ the pilot performed in Annapolis just last week with his #6 jet.

"I hear him go up, like a real loud noise, and then I run over and see a fireball and smoke," one witness said.

Authorities say the pilot was the only causality and that no civilians were hurt on the ground. The other five Blue Angel jets landed safely moments after the crash.

"That man is a hero, an absolute hero. He apparently went completely down with that plane," one witness said.

The Navy will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The Blue Angels will not participate in the air show this weekend.

Earlier Thursday, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird also crashed in Colorado. The pilot safely ejected into a field.

In 2007, a Blue Angels jet crashed during the final minutes of an air show in South Carolina. The pilot died, and eight others were injured on the ground.

This is a developing story. Stay with WJZ and CBSBaltimore.com for the latest.