A Valiant Air Command Grumman TBM-3E Avenger crashes during Cocoa Beach Air Show. The TBM Avenger performing in the warbird parade had a mechanical issue and the pilot was able to bring the plane down close to the shore.
Rescue personnel were immediately on scene and the pilot is okay.
Authorities have not released info about the water landing, which happened in front of a large crowd of beachgoers.
The Valiant Air Command to fly four different warbird aircraft in the Cocoa Beach Air Show on April 17-18 on Florida’s Space Coast.
Featured warbirds include their flagship, the C-47 “Tico Bell” as well as a TBM Avenger, North American SNJ-4, and an N2S Steerman.
TBM bureau number 91188 was delivered to the United States Navy during WWII from the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors.
Following her retirement from the U.S. Navy # 91188 saw extensive service in the hazardous role of fire bomber for the U.S. Forestry Service based at Davis, California from 1956-1964.
She would continue in this role through 1969 with Georgia Forestry Commission in Macon, GA. After her distinguished career as a fire bomber, 91188 transitioned between various private owners throughout the country ultimately finding herself at the Valiant Air Command, Inc. in 2002.
For nearly 18 years the VAC TBM has been undergoing an extensive restoration to flight by our skilled restoration personnel.
All of those people pausing to take a picture or video instead of trying to help the pilot. Luckily he made it through ok.