A fighter jet from the Blue Angels, the elite aerobatic squadron of the United States Navy, flew over Pensacola Beach, Florida, this Wednesday at such a low altitude that the powerful blast of air generated by its engines sent umbrellas, chairs, and tents flying, creating moments of tension among dozens of beachgoers.
The incident occurred during the traditional "Breakfast with the Blues," the flight that annually kicks off the Pensacola Beach Air Show Week, reported the channel WFLA.
Videos recorded by attendees show how the force of the reactor lifts a cloud of sand and sends objects flying across the beach. Some objects ended up striking people in the area, although the U.S. Navy has not confirmed how many were affected or the severity of any injuries.
The recording, provided by Alexandra Belcher, quickly went viral on social media and was featured by numerous national and international media outlets.
"Everyone was very excited because we knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Belcher told WFLA. "The flyover seemed incredible to me. As a mere spectator, I felt the adrenaline and was grateful to be able to live that experience."
Not everyone shared the enthusiasm. Another attendee, quoted by U.S. media, claimed that for a moment he believed the planes were going to "sweep" them away completely.
The Navy is investigating what happened
The Pensacola Naval Air Station acknowledged that the aircraft executed the maneuver at a lower altitude than usual during landing.
"During a landing maneuver, the aircraft flew at a lower altitude than usual, causing disturbances on the beach that affected the chairs and umbrellas of the users," the institution stated in a release.
The Blue Angels also reported that they have launched an internal investigation to determine what happened.
"The safety of our local community, spectators, and pilots is our top priority," stated the squadron, which assured it is conducting a thorough review to ensure that all operations comply with the safety standards of the Navy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A routine flight that ended unexpectedly
The aircraft involved was an F/A-18 Super Hornet, the same carrier-based fighter used by the U.S. Navy's frontline combat squadrons.
The goal of "Breakfast with the Blues" is to allow pilots to familiarize themselves with the area and landmarks before the airshow through authorized low-altitude flights over the coast.
This year's exhibition holds special meaning, as the Blue Angels celebrate their 80th anniversary in 2026, coinciding with the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.
Despite the incident, the event's schedule will proceed as planned, with a practice this Thursday, a dress rehearsal on Friday, and the official exhibition scheduled for Saturday at Casino Beach.
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