Blue Angels pilot apologizes for 'miscalculated' low flyover over Pensacola Beach

Published Jul 19, 06:45 PM UTC

A Blue Angels pilot who flew dangerously low over Pensacola Beach, Florida, causing umbrellas and chairs to be blown over, has expressed regret and is 'shaken' by the incident, according to Florida state Rep. Michelle Salzman. The pilot described the maneuver as a 'miscalculated turn' and is deeply affected by falling short of his own high standards. The admission comes amid a political divide: Trump administration officials and MAGA supporters celebrated the flyover as a display of military pride, while critics raised safety concerns. The Navy is reviewing the incident, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary Hung Cao have defended the demonstration and declined to issue punishments. Eric Trump also blamed the media for the backlash. The incident is part of a series of controversial military flyovers in recent months.