Man shows shocking moment Blue Angels jet flies inches above him in California
Published on Feb 26, 2026 at 1:54 PM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Feb 26, 2026 at 3:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A Blue Angels jet belonging to the US Navy surprised one man when it swooped incredibly close to his position during a practice session in California.
In a now-viral video, two of the famed demonstration team’s F/A-18s roar past at very low altitude.
In fact, the thunderous sound was so intense that he joked he had lost his hearing afterward.
The clip shows the jets passing just inches overhead, but just how safe are these for viewers?
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The Blue Angels often train in low altitude
The Blue Angels are the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, formed in 1946 to showcase precision flying and promote naval aviation to the public.
They perform aerobatic shows all over the United States and Canada, using modified F/A-18 Super Hornets flown by elite Navy and Marine pilots.
The team’s routines mix tight formations, rapid climbs, and heart-pounding low passes that thrill airshow crowds year after year.
One signature move, known as the ‘Sneak Pass’, sees a solo jet race past the crowd at nearly ground level, often just tens of feet above onlookers, before booming overhead.
In typical airshow performances, this maneuver alone can reach speeds of up to 700mph, producing epic sound and spectacle.
During practice sessions like the one in California, the jets also train at low altitudes.
A recent video from Naval Air Facility El Centro shows the Blues flying as low as roughly 75 to 100 feet above the ground, which is close enough to make viewers instinctively duck.
These low passes are not technically ‘inches above’ the person’s head, but the angle and speed can make them appear incredibly close when filmed from the ground.
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There are plenty of regulations to prevent accidents
So is it safe to watch these powerful machines up close?
In general, real airshows and practice areas are tightly regulated.
Pilots maintain strict minimum altitudes and safety boxes over designated zones to protect spectators.
There are legal and safety requirements around visibility and vertical clearance to prevent accidents, and full shows are canceled if conditions don’t meet those standards.
Of course, this didn’t stop the stunt pilot in Top Gun: Maverick from thinking he would ‘kill everybody’ after attempting a similar stunt during the filming of the movie.
Still, if you’re lucky enough to witness one of these Blue Angels demonstrations in person, it will likely be an unforgettable thrill.
Just remember to bring ear protection.
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Jason joined the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in April 2025 as a Content Writer. As part of the growing editorial team working in Australia, and in synergy with team members in Dubai, the UK, and elsewhere in the world, he helps keep the site running 24/7, injecting his renowned accuracy and energy into every shift.
