He was my uncle, who I sadly never got to meet. I grieve every day for little Michael, though. Thank you so much for sharing this, I can't even begin to describe how it feels to hear this man talk, this man who I've only known through pictures and stories. I'm crying happy and sad tears all at once.
I am a retired Naval Aviator and aircraft accident investigator. This was the first accident I actually witnessed at the moment of collision. My sight was fixed on the parachute of the surviving pilot and not on LCDR Gershon's A4D. I happened to be dressed in a clown suit trying to entice autos passing by to stop at my brother's restaurant, "Champs" on the corner of Summit and Old Niagara Falls Blvd. No longer there, as so much of Niagara Falls except the Falls. I now live in Pensacola, Fl. Home of the Blue Angels and Cradle of Naval Aviation.
I had the honor having Mike as the best man in my wedding. He was a Great friend, His family was the best. I can remember many a day of Mike taking me flying, doing what he loved. He was doing flying stunts way before he joined the Navy. He loved scaring me, which didn't take much. God Bless you Mike. So glad to find the video.
I was also 10 years old and at the Niagara airshow with my father and younger brother an event we attended nearly annually when we were younger... I remember the moment of seeing the air collision and one of the A4s falling in a flat spin and the other flown by LT Cdr. Gershon banking off into the distance. Sadly, always remember this day. RIP Mike Gershon
I find it difficult the tell my story of Mike Gershon, because I flew with him once, the day before an airshow in 1984 in Hamilton, Ontario. That was a year before his tragic accident. At that time I was employed as a reporter with CHCH TV in Hamilton. The Blue Angels were here to perform at an air show sponsored by the Canadian Warplane Heritage. As was often the case, demonstration flights were offered by the Blue Angels to members of the local media for promotional purposes. Because I was a private pilot, my news director assigned the flight to me. Of course I was delighted. Single place A-4F Skyhawks were being flown at the time, but a two place version accompanied the team specifically for the promotional flights. Lt. Cdr. Mike Gershon was handling the media flights. It was a hot humid day when we took off. Knowing I was a pilot I'm convinced he did a little extra for my flight. He did everything, loops rolls and 4.5 G tight turns. He even gave me the controls and coaxed me through a couple of rolls and a loop. It was one of the most memorable flights I've ever had and now that I'm approaching 80 years of age, one I'll never have again. He was a great pilot and a true gentleman and I was shocked an saddened when he had his fatal accident a year after he and I flew together. I had a cassette tape of the report I did and watched it many times over the years. Unfortunately while watching it once, the cassette recorderer mangled the tape and ruined it. So this video of Mike Gershon and his family is a treasured find for me, one that I'll bookmark. RIP Mike Gershon.
@@traceybarrett88 : Hi Tracy. Every once in a while I come back to watch this video, and just noticed your reply. I just want to say you had an exceptional uncle . Peace to you and yours.
I spoke personally with Lt Cdr Gershon in Daytona Beach, my senior year of college when he came to my school as Narrator for the Blues. He was an inspiration, during my career as an International Airline Captain these last forty years. I'm also deeply saddened by the tragedy that later took the life of his son. My most humble thoughts to their families.
I was 10 when this happened and was at that air show. It was quite strange for me at a young age to witness an air crash like this. I am still a fan of aviation and have a deeper and profound appreciation for all servicemen. I salute you!
I was 9 at the time and I was also there, I remember the plane heading right toward the crowd and we were running for our lives, it was a tragic day indeed. My family friend (now retired) worked there and was able to get us in.
I had the opportunity and privilege of meeting Mike at the air show in Grand Junction Colorado back in, I believe, 1983 or 84. And we kept in touch for several years. My heart broke the day I heard the news.
It's stunning to read the comments from so many people that were there and what an impact that event had on their lives. 75 comments and almost all were near first hand. Pretty neat. A misstep by almost any demonstration team pilot is smaller than the ones we all make everyday before we leave for work in the morning. Can you imagine living that GOOD? Dying that good? Tragic yes but,...So few of us humans will ever get the chance to leave this world so near to our most flawless performance.
On July 4th, 1985 the Blue Angels performed at Navy Moffatt Field just south of San Francisco. I lived in San Jose, an easy drive to the show. After the performance, the pilots came up to the fence line and started signing autographs. I lined up for a pilot named Mike Gershon. At that time we made small talk and I asked when were they getting new equipment as the planes they were flying (Skyhawks) were getting old. He answered, “soon.” The following week, July, 13, Mr. Gershon was involved in a mid-air collision with opposing pilot #5. #5 ejected safely, sadly Mr. Gershon, opposing #6, did not survive. I still have his autograph on the show program and a clipping from the newspaper announcing the accident. RIP Sir!
Today the Blues are back here in WNY! I just heard one take off from the NF base. Performing over the Buffalo waterfront for two days. June 2021. I was at the Carborundum seating area right on base when Mike was killed. So sad. R.I.P. my mother was VIP as she retired from Carborundum and was also a Rosey The Riveter at Bell aircraft during WW2. It happened right above us.
LCDR Mike Gershon, was a division officer of mine in VA-97 (WARHAWKS) at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Flying the A-7E Corsair II. May you rest in peace, Fair Winds and Following Seas.
I was at the airshow the week before the tragedy in Sunnyvale Ca. at Moffett Field and saw the Blue Angels perform. I was shocked to hear of the accident the following week at Niagra Falls. I have since learned that Mikes baby son was killed on Thanksgiving day 1999 in a ATV accident while his mother watched. My heart goes out to Mikes widow. May God bless her.
I just came upon this video today after thinking about Mike for the first time in a number of years. I knew him in Pensacola when he flew light aircraft for a charter service before the Navy. I flew with him in a Piper at least once. I liked him very much and I believe I even still have a photo. This video was painful to watch. RIP "Poodlehair", my mother and I were crushed when you passed away.
I had the privilege of meeting this man minutes before he died that day in Buffalo; I had VIP tickets to the airshow and we had our meal with the Blue Angels pilot airmen and crew. I will ..never.. forget that day!
it"s incredible to find this footage after so many years.... I remember this accident because my father was stationed at that air force base in Niagra Falls.....I remember the whole incident.... still in mind...where the other plane crashed me and my family were right there. R.I.P. Lt. Cdr. Mike Gershon.....
I saw CDR Gershon perform 4th of July, Moffett Field Mt. View, CA.. After the performance, the pilots came up to chat with the audience and sign autographs. That's when I met him, a super nice gentleman. I asked when they were going to change aircraft (the Skyhawk would be replaced by the now flying F/A-18A Hornet) and he replied with a smile, "soon." Sadly he would not get to fly the Hornet as he died 8 days later and the change to the Hornet came 16 months later. I still have the show program with his autograph on top of his picture more than 30 years after his accident. RIP CDR.
Retired Navy, originally from Niagara Falls, but at the time of the accident was stationed at a Medical Clinic aboard the Blue Angels home base of NAS Pensacola. My brother was at the Air Show at the time of the accident and his description saddened me. During my time there met many members of the team, but I honestly can't remember if he was one that I met. Coincidentally, a few months later was transferring to another duty station and was checking out in my Dress Blues, when I was notified that the Blue Angels were having a Change of Command at the Naval Air Museum that is also aboard the station, and that the EMT that was assigned for standby was sick and since he had to be in Dress Blues, they asked if I would do it. That Change of Command is an event that reinforced my pride in the Navy and this Country.
Sad story. I lived in Niagara Falls at the time. Myself and 4 yr. old daughter were there and witnessed the crash directly in front of us, at almost the same angle as the footage. I can still see and hear it. (My daughter remembers the planes falling. She said a prayer on her own before bed that night for that "poor pilot") I recall the irony of having the same first name; going by my middle name Mike, and being only a few months younger than Lt. Gershon. I still drive by the field now and then.
I wish I still had the PM Magazine show that included some of this video footage prior to the crash. I accidentally taped over it at some point. I remember it included Gershon and Pat Walsh and covered the 1986 training period at NAF El Centro. I loved the A-4 Skyhawks, but sadly 86 was the final year and the 1987 season saw the Blue Angel F-18s introduced.
Spooky to see/hear that three generations of Gershon men were killed in tragic accidents. Sometimes you just can't avoid the plan. Hopefully they all are having a nice reunion on the other side.
RIP....For some reason I thought about this crash after seeing recent Blue Angel vids as they transition to the F-18 Super Hornet. I remember seeing the Blue Angels perform about 1 month before this accident, they were performing at Coney Island.
I have Mikes A-4 Blue Angel on my desk in remembrance. In the summer of 85 i got to shake the hands of the pilots at our airport. I know now that Mike must have been one of them. Peace.
I was at this show I saw the refueling probe of 1 a4 clip the wing on another I never knew the pilots name till now God bless him a true hero his plan was heading straight at us he steered it away from the crowd resulting in his death.
The Jet that they show falling and then bursting into flames was not the Jet that Mike was in.That was the other Jet that he collided with and that pilot ejected safely. Everyone including myself was fixated on that jet because of the way it was falling out of control.The other Jet looked to be alright and flying normally until it made a sharp turn and dove into the tarmac.It was that Jet that Mike was already dead in and why it also crashed.There were 2 chutes.The pilot and one was his seat
You are correct on it being the #5 jet shown crashing. The local news in Pensacola showed a video I remember of Mikes jet crashing when it happened, but I have never been able to find that video again.
I saw Mike’s Skyhawk. It did level off briefly but then began to flutter right to left like a falling leaf before it disappeared behind a tree line and impacted the ground, sending up a black mushroom cloud. It was a haunting and grotesque sight and not something I’d ever want to see again.
I was also there when this happened, I was 11 at the time. I remember watching the falling plane just as the video shows. We didn't know anything happened to the other plane until we saw the smoke rising on our right. We saw the two chutes and thought everyone got out OK. I think they later said the second chute was the drag chute from one of the planes, I could be mistaken. I remember being right in the front row and seeing the Huey crew that had done a demo earlier come running up and spinning up their bird to head over to possibly help. RIP sir.
This is filmed backwards. The jet out of control in a wash to the left of your screen shows an ejection. So this is not Gershon! It is the other jet veering to the right of the screen that shows the 8 feet of the nose of the jet severed and thus in a wash. Gershon has to be in that jet. The other pilot parachuted. So what we have a dramatization to watch the one jet explode into a fireball. If i am wrong, an i may be, shoot me a line.
Yes, little Micheal died from an ATV accident on Thanksgiving Day 1999. But my son resembles his Great Uncle Mike, and frequently talks about "his friend who loves spiders" (little Micheal, he had pet tarantulas) even though I never told my son about that and he passed way before my son was born. So they both live on in some small way.
...As I recall, both jets "flat spinned" down from very high altitude; again as I recall, they hit at the top of their arcing loop; I remember earlier in the day Art Scholl had flown an act shooting fireworks out of his Super Chipmunk wings, and I thought "How weird, the Blue Angels are using fireworks too!?" and then it became obvious they had hit each other....
I knee him from the early days of the F-18 at N.A.S. Lemoore, Calif....I was a Plane Captain in VFA-125 Where he trained for the fleet, still remember the day we all heard of the mishap.
The Skyhawk that was struck near the rear, separating both the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, went into a flat spin. Lt Cdr Gershon’s Skyhawk, missing a significant part of its forward fuselage, began rocking side-to-side like a falling leaf until it disappeared behind a tree line and impacted the ground. I was there.
He was my uncle, who I sadly never got to meet. I grieve every day for little Michael, though. Thank you so much for sharing this, I can't even begin to describe how it feels to hear this man talk, this man who I've only known through pictures and stories. I'm crying happy and sad tears all at once.
I am a retired Naval Aviator and aircraft accident investigator. This was the first accident I actually witnessed at the moment of collision. My sight was fixed on the parachute of the surviving pilot and not on LCDR Gershon's A4D. I happened to be dressed in a clown suit trying to entice autos passing by to stop at my brother's restaurant, "Champs" on the corner of Summit and Old Niagara Falls Blvd. No longer there, as so much of Niagara Falls except the Falls. I now live in Pensacola, Fl. Home of the Blue Angels and Cradle of Naval Aviation.
I had the honor having Mike as the best man in my wedding. He was a Great friend, His family was the best.
I can remember many a day of Mike taking me flying, doing what he loved. He was doing flying stunts way before he joined the Navy. He loved scaring me, which didn't take much.
God Bless you Mike. So glad to find the video.
I was also 10 years old and at the Niagara airshow with my father and younger brother an event we attended nearly annually when we were younger... I remember the moment of seeing the air collision and one of the A4s falling in a flat spin and the other flown by LT Cdr. Gershon banking off into the distance. Sadly, always remember this day. RIP Mike Gershon
I find it difficult the tell my story of Mike Gershon, because I flew with him once, the day before an airshow in 1984 in Hamilton, Ontario. That was a year before his tragic accident.
At that time I was employed as a reporter with CHCH TV in Hamilton. The Blue Angels were here to perform at an air show sponsored by the Canadian Warplane Heritage. As was often the case, demonstration flights were offered by the Blue Angels to members of the local media for promotional purposes. Because I was a private pilot, my news director assigned the flight to me. Of course I was delighted.
Single place A-4F Skyhawks were being flown at the time, but a two place version accompanied the team specifically for the promotional flights.
Lt. Cdr. Mike Gershon was handling the media flights. It was a hot humid day when we took off. Knowing I was a pilot I'm convinced he did a little extra for my flight. He did everything, loops rolls and 4.5 G tight turns. He even gave me the controls and coaxed me through a couple of rolls and a loop.
It was one of the most memorable flights I've ever had and now that I'm approaching 80 years of age, one I'll never have again. He was a great pilot and a true gentleman and I was shocked an saddened when he had his fatal accident a year after he and I flew together.
I had a cassette tape of the report I did and watched it many times over the years. Unfortunately while watching it once, the cassette recorderer mangled the tape and ruined it.
So this video of Mike Gershon and his family is a treasured find for me, one that I'll bookmark.
RIP Mike Gershon.
SmokeFlame1 while I absolutely treasure this video as well, seeing comments about my Uncle Mike is just as precious to me. Thank you for sharing that!
@@traceybarrett88 : Hi Tracy.
Every once in a while I come back to watch this video, and just noticed your reply. I just want to say you had an exceptional uncle . Peace to you and yours.
I spoke personally with Lt Cdr Gershon in Daytona Beach, my senior year of college when he came to my school as Narrator for the Blues. He was an inspiration, during my career as an International Airline Captain these last forty years. I'm also deeply saddened by the tragedy that later took the life of his son. My most humble thoughts to their families.
Thanks for sharing your memories Greg.
It’s nice to realize all these years later what an impact he made on so many.
I was 10 when this happened and was at that air show. It was quite strange for me at a young age to witness an air crash like this. I am still a fan of aviation and have a deeper and profound appreciation for all servicemen. I salute you!
I was 9 at the time and I was also there, I remember the plane heading right toward the crowd and we were running for our lives, it was a tragic day indeed. My family friend (now retired) worked there and was able to get us in.
I had the opportunity and privilege of meeting Mike at the air show in Grand Junction Colorado back in, I believe, 1983 or 84. And we kept in touch for several years. My heart broke the day I heard the news.
It's stunning to read the comments from so many people that were there and what an impact that event had on their lives. 75 comments and almost all were near first hand. Pretty neat.
A misstep by almost any demonstration team pilot is smaller than the ones we all make everyday before we leave for work in the morning. Can you imagine living that GOOD? Dying that good? Tragic yes but,...So few of us humans will ever get the chance to leave this world so near to our most flawless performance.
On July 4th, 1985 the Blue Angels performed at Navy Moffatt Field just south of San Francisco. I lived in San Jose, an easy drive to the show. After the performance, the pilots came up to the fence line and started signing autographs. I lined up for a pilot named Mike Gershon. At that time we made small talk and I asked when were they getting new equipment as the planes they were flying (Skyhawks) were getting old. He answered, “soon.” The following week, July, 13, Mr. Gershon was involved in a mid-air collision with opposing pilot #5. #5 ejected safely, sadly Mr. Gershon, opposing #6, did not survive. I still have his autograph on the show program and a clipping from the newspaper announcing the accident.
RIP Sir!
Today the Blues are back here in WNY! I just heard one take off from the NF base. Performing over the Buffalo waterfront for two days. June 2021. I was at the Carborundum seating area right on base when Mike was killed. So sad. R.I.P. my mother was VIP as she retired from Carborundum and was also a Rosey The Riveter at Bell aircraft during WW2. It happened right above us.
LCDR Mike Gershon, was a division officer of mine in VA-97 (WARHAWKS) at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Flying the A-7E Corsair II. May you rest in peace, Fair Winds and Following Seas.
I was at the airshow the week before the tragedy in Sunnyvale Ca. at Moffett Field and saw the Blue Angels perform. I was shocked to hear of the accident the following week at Niagra Falls. I have since learned that Mikes baby son was killed on Thanksgiving day 1999 in a ATV accident while his mother watched. My heart goes out to Mikes widow. May God bless her.
I just came upon this video today after thinking about Mike for the first time in a number of years. I knew him in Pensacola when he flew light aircraft for a charter service before the Navy. I flew with him in a Piper at least once. I liked him very much and I believe I even still have a photo. This video was painful to watch. RIP "Poodlehair", my mother and I were crushed when you passed away.
As a kid I remember this. My condolences 🙏.
I had the privilege of meeting this man minutes before he died that day in Buffalo; I had VIP tickets to the airshow and we had our meal with the Blue Angels pilot airmen and crew. I will ..never.. forget that day!
it"s incredible to find this footage after so many years.... I remember this accident because my father was stationed at that air force base in Niagra Falls.....I remember the whole incident.... still in mind...where the other plane crashed me and my family were right there. R.I.P. Lt. Cdr. Mike Gershon.....
+Angelo Fineberg NIAGARA
So we both were at the same place at the same time. So many years have gone by.
God Bless Your Lt. Cdr. and Your family!
We were at the show, and I took video of the failed cross over, it was a Bad day, I still have the 8x10 pictures. It was unreal for us and the kids.
I was 10 years old and was at this airshow in Niagara Falls. Very sad.
TY for keeping his memory alive for future generations. R.I.P
Thank you for sharing. And thank you for your service.
I remember watching a local TV interview with Gershon prior to the Blue Angels' annual performance at the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1985.
I saw CDR Gershon perform 4th of July, Moffett Field Mt. View, CA.. After the performance, the pilots came up to chat with the audience and sign autographs. That's when I met him, a super nice gentleman. I asked when they were going to change aircraft (the Skyhawk would be replaced by the now flying F/A-18A Hornet) and he replied with a smile, "soon." Sadly he would not get to fly the Hornet as he died 8 days later and the change to the Hornet came 16 months later. I still have the show program with his autograph on top of his picture more than 30 years after his accident. RIP CDR.
Man, hold onto that program.
I live in Niagara Falls and this was horrific. I drive by the field he crashed in, every now and then. R.I.P. Mike.
Retired Navy, originally from Niagara Falls, but at the time of the accident was stationed at a Medical Clinic aboard the Blue Angels home base of NAS Pensacola. My brother was at the Air Show at the time of the accident and his description saddened me. During my time there met many members of the team, but I honestly can't remember if he was one that I met. Coincidentally, a few months later was transferring to another duty station and was checking out in my Dress Blues, when I was notified that the Blue Angels were having a Change of Command at the Naval Air Museum that is also aboard the station, and that the EMT that was assigned for standby was sick and since he had to be in Dress Blues, they asked if I would do it. That Change of Command is an event that reinforced my pride in the Navy and this Country.
Sad story. I lived in Niagara Falls at the time. Myself and 4 yr. old daughter were there and witnessed the crash directly in front of us, at almost the same angle as the footage. I can still see and hear it. (My daughter remembers the planes falling. She said a prayer on her own before bed that night for that "poor pilot") I recall the irony of having the same first name; going by my middle name Mike, and being only a few months younger than Lt. Gershon. I still drive by the field now and then.
Hi. I live here ( Pensacola ). Mike Gershon's son tragically died as the result of an ATV accident. Very sad.
That was the first year I had ever seen the Blue Angels. I was 14 and they had been in Little Rock, AR not long before.
I was there at this air show when this happened. It may have happened 30 years ago but it feels like yesterday.
I was there also 11 years old, I was at about the same position as the video. It is also very clear in my mind. So sad.
I wish I still had the PM Magazine show that included some of this video footage prior to the crash. I accidentally taped over it at some point. I remember it included Gershon and Pat Walsh and covered the 1986 training period at NAF El Centro. I loved the A-4 Skyhawks, but sadly 86 was the final year and the 1987 season saw the Blue Angel F-18s introduced.
It’s here
th-cam.com/video/SeyjOFlO92Y/w-d-xo.html
Spooky to see/hear that three generations of Gershon men were killed in tragic accidents. Sometimes you just can't avoid the plan. Hopefully they all are having a nice reunion on the other side.
yellowhammer, Michael Jr, the son, perished in an ATV accident in 1999
I remember seeing this on the news! Working on A-4's at the time of this accident at NAS Miramar!
I was in VA-97 at Lemoore from '79-'83, and I also knew him. RIP sir. :(
I remember this vividly. I was there selling ice cream from a push-cart when I was 15 years old
RIP....For some reason I thought about this crash after seeing recent Blue Angel vids as they transition to the F-18 Super Hornet. I remember seeing the Blue Angels perform about 1 month before this accident, they were performing at Coney Island.
I have Mikes A-4 Blue Angel on my desk in remembrance. In the summer of 85 i got to shake the hands of the pilots at our airport. I know now that Mike must have been one of them. Peace.
Sadly Lt Cdr. Gershon's son (who's seen in the video) died at age 14 in 1999. Tragic.....
Oh, how awful.
I was at this show I saw the refueling probe of 1 a4 clip the wing on another I never knew the pilots name till now God bless him a true hero his plan was heading straight at us he steered it away from the crowd resulting in his death.
The Jet that they show falling and then bursting into flames was not the Jet that Mike was in.That was the other Jet that he collided with and that pilot ejected safely. Everyone including myself was fixated on that jet because of the way it was falling out of control.The other Jet looked to be alright and flying normally until it made a sharp turn and dove into the tarmac.It was that Jet that Mike was already dead in and why it also crashed.There were 2 chutes.The pilot and one was his seat
You are correct on it being the #5 jet shown crashing. The local news in Pensacola showed a video I remember of Mikes jet crashing when it happened, but I have never been able to find that video again.
I saw Mike’s Skyhawk. It did level off briefly but then began to flutter right to left like a falling leaf before it disappeared behind a tree line and impacted the ground, sending up a black mushroom cloud. It was a haunting and grotesque sight and not something I’d ever want to see again.
The crash footage had to be edited in,since the crash happened just slightly over two months after this interview
R.I.P.
his son died in 1999 ... how sad ... but he is with his dad at last ...
Seriously!? The mother must be a mess 💔
Fair Winds and Following Seas...
I still have nightmares about this crash, I saw it as it happened
The actual crash happened on 13 July 1985,that interview must have happened before
I was also there when this happened, I was 11 at the time. I remember watching the falling plane just as the video shows. We didn't know anything happened to the other plane until we saw the smoke rising on our right. We saw the two chutes and thought everyone got out OK. I think they later said the second chute was the drag chute from one of the planes, I could be mistaken. I remember being right in the front row and seeing the Huey crew that had done a demo earlier come running up and spinning up their bird to head over to possibly help. RIP sir.
+Mark Kent Mark, CMDR Gershon never made it out,the tail from 5 decapitated him
+Robert Young I know he didn't make it. I was referring to what we thought the instant it happened.
Wow! So sad!
I was also 11 and also there. Porter Rd apartment complex, where my grandmother lived. We were watching the show from the courtyard.
This is filmed backwards. The jet out of control in a wash to the left of your screen shows an ejection. So this is not Gershon! It is the other jet veering to the right of the screen that shows the 8 feet of the nose of the jet severed and thus in a wash. Gershon has to be in that jet. The other pilot parachuted. So what we have a dramatization to watch the one jet explode into a fireball. If i am wrong, an i may be, shoot me a line.
I was in the squadron from 78' 82 AMS line divison then Airframes
Does anyone know what became of his son?
R Villarreal Sadly, I believe his son was killed in an ATV accident.
Yes, little Micheal died from an ATV accident on Thanksgiving Day 1999.
But my son resembles his Great Uncle Mike, and frequently talks about "his friend who loves spiders" (little Micheal, he had pet tarantulas) even though I never told my son about that and he passed way before my son was born. So they both live on in some small way.
Thanks much.. Very sad to hear.
@@SteveDurgin
Sheesh that ruins the feel of this Video a bit 😢
Wow I feel for his poor mother. First her husband then her son
😔✊💙💛
oh and by the way Steve,it's spelled NIAGARA not Niagra
R.I.P Lt. Cmdr. Gershon.
Semper Fi
They no longer do that maneuver.
That is true, it was removed from performance following the accident.
RIPOSA IN PACE ANGELO DELL'ARIA 💙
...As I recall, both jets "flat spinned" down from very high altitude; again as I recall, they hit at the top of their arcing loop; I remember earlier in the day Art Scholl had flown an act shooting fireworks out of his Super Chipmunk wings, and I thought "How weird, the Blue Angels are using fireworks too!?" and then it became obvious they had hit each other....
I knee him from the early days of the F-18 at N.A.S. Lemoore, Calif....I was a Plane Captain in VFA-125 Where he trained for the fleet, still remember the day we all heard of the mishap.
The Skyhawk that was struck near the rear, separating both the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, went into a flat spin. Lt Cdr Gershon’s Skyhawk, missing a significant part of its forward fuselage, began rocking side-to-side like a falling leaf until it disappeared behind a tree line and impacted the ground.
I was there.
Mike borrowed .75 cents for a mellow yellow at Lofinos...he never paid me back.
His father died, he died, and his son died at 14 in a ATV crash.......😔 woo
This airshow business is absolute foolishness. Risking lives for what? Entertainment? Oohs and ahhhs?