Blue Angels Grounded This Weekend After Pilot's Death

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Navy's elite Blue Angels have been grounded, as they mourn the death of a decorated pilot and look into what caused the group's first deadly crash in almost a decade.

WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren has more on the emotional tribute to the captain who lost his life and his ties to Maryland.

The last time the Blue Angels performed in Baltimore was during the Star Spangled Spectacular in 2014.

Captain Jeff Kuss, whose jet crashed Thursday in Tennessee, was a frequent visitor to Maryland. He flew over Annapolis just last week.

Blue Angels pilot #6 Jeff Kuss flew over Annapolis days before his death. Cell phone video shows how fast his FA18 jet crashed to the ground Thursday while practicing for the Great Tennessee Air Show.

Investigators are still trying to determine what happened.

In one of his last interviews, Kuss talked about his fascination with flying since childhood.

"I was once the little kid that we now see at the crowd line standing two-feet tall looking up at the skies. So to have that dream realized and be here for me is an absolute honor," Capt. Kuss said.

He also spoke about safety measures the Blue Angels put in place after a deadly crash almost ten years ago -- haunting words now.

"To do what's called a crawl, walk, run mentality where we start out very basic levels and progresses and progresses until eventually you've got a flight demonstration in the form of an air show that you can deliver as a safe homogenize product all over the country," said Kuss.

In addition to flying over the skies of Annapolis, he wowed crowds over the Super Bowl this year.

Captain Kuss also narrated the Ocean City air show from the beach. Organizers called him an outstanding person and friend.

Another elite unit, the Air Force Thunderbirds, had been scheduled to headline the Ocean City show later this month -- but like the Blue Angels, they're grounded, too, after a crash the same day. The pilot, Major Alex Turner, survived.

"I could barely catch my breath. My stomach just dropped, my heart was pounding and I just broke down," said Ann Turner, mother of  Maj. Turner.

Two of America's top flying teams are now searching for answers before they take to the skies again.

Kuss served in Afghanistan. He'd won many awards. His wife learned about the crash while she was driving to the air show in Tennessee.

Captain Kuss is survived by his wife and two young children.