Blue Angels Crash: Probe of April disaster continues past November

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Causes and damage assessment still elude Navy officials who are reviewing the April 21 Blue Angel crash in Beaufort, South Carolina. A report projected for early November is has still not been released to the public.

Vice Admiral of the Navy J. C. wrote that "Our goal is to do a thorough job of investigating all contributing factors to this incident so that we can make appropriate corrections while at the same time being responsive to all those who were affected by this tragedy. "

Navy officials still are trying to figure out why a Blue Angels pilot crashed April 21 and how much they are going to have to pay for damaged homes.

A report on the crash that killed Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis during an air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort was expected early November -- the most recent in a string of projected release dates -- but it is yet to be made public.

J.C. Harvey Jr., vice admiral of the Navy, wrote in late September that the investigation process cannot be rushed. Calls to Navy spokesman Dave German were not returned Tuesday.

"Our goal is to do a thorough job of investigating all contributing factors to this incident so that we can make appropriate corrections while at the same time being responsive to all those who were affected by this tragedy. While I understand the community's desire for resolution regarding this incident, I want everyone to understand the outcome and the timeline for completing this investigation in no way affects the
claims process,"" Harvey wrote.

Eleven homeowner have alread received compensation for damage to their homes, and ten other claims are either pending or soon to be submitted.

Editor Joy Finnegan of Aviation Maintenance Magazine said  F/A-18 Hornet jets present "
very complex process" of maintenance and "very high-technology, computerized systems are in existence on fighter aircraft, so I would say that can play a part. In a complex piece of machinery there are many different things that could occur that could get you into a situation." The aircraft in Blue Angel airshows are "built to face the same stresses fighters jets are," she said.

[Original story: Dan Hilliard, "Probe of Blue Angels crash continues." Beaufort (South Carolina Gazette), November 28, 2007. http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local_news/v-print/story/6744728p-6015197c.html. Accessed on November 29, 2007.]