Dayton Air Show tragedy

A Blue Angels plane crash Thursday claimed the life of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss while the team was practicing ahead of the Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend.

The Blue Angels have performed in Dayton at previous air shows and are scheduled to headline the Vectren Dayton Air Show this June. The Navy has suspended flying but it not known yet what impact the crash might have on the upcoming local event.

Not immune to tragedy

The Dayton air show has had two crashes that have resulted in the loss of life in previous years. Neither event involved the Blue Angels.

Here is a summary of those two crashes:

In 2007:  Jim Leroy, who was unable to maintain clearance from the ground during his acrobatic routine, died due to impact with the ground and  the resulting fire, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

In 2013: Pilot Charlie Schenker and wing walker Jane Wicker were involved in a maneuver that resulted in the plane hitting the ground after too sharp of a turn. The plane burst into flames killing both performers.

Safety measures created

The year after the second incident, air show performers asked for response vehicles to be at shows, said Terry Grevious, Dayton Air Show executive director.

In the past 15 years, 33 deaths have been recorded at North American air shows according to the air show trade association.

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