PENSACOLA, Fla. (WSVN) — Dramatic new video shows the moment a military flyover stunned beachgoers in the Florida Panhandle, prompting an investigation by the Blue Angels.
Video posted to social media shows a jet flying low over a crowd of beachgoers in Pensacola, sending items and sand flying, Wednesday morning.
The incident took place during the “Breakfast with the Blues” event on the beach.
An initial jet flies over the crowd normally. Moments later, a second jet flew too close to the crowd. The blast of air tossed tents, chairs and umbrellas across the sand as beachgoers screamed.
“I’ve been coming for 10 years, and I’ve never seen a pass like that in my life,” said a woman. “I literally thought we were going to be taken out by Blue Angels, but it was amazing.”
The Blue Angels said they were conducting a review of the low flyover.
In a statement, officials said:
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, is aware of social media footage showing a low-altitude pass by a team aircraft over Pensacola Beach earlier today. During an arrival maneuver, an aircraft flew lower than standard profiles, resulting in a disturbance on the beach that affected civilian chairs and umbrellas. The safety of our hometown community, spectators, and our pilots is our highest priority. Team leadership is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the maneuver and conducting a thorough safety review to ensure all operations adhere to strict Navy and FAA safety standards.
No injuries were reported.
This isn’t the military’s first flyover controversy, Eight South Carolina National Guard helicopter pilots were suspended after a low pass over a beach on the Fourth of July.
Days later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed the punishment, saying, “Carry on, patriots” in an X post.
Hegseth also lifted the suspensions of Army pilots who hovered over singer Kid Rock’s home in Tennessee earlier this year.
Wednesday marked the beginning of Blue Angels Week on Pensacola Beach. It’s set to end on Saturday.
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