This Is the Story of the Fallen Thunderbird Pilot Who Helped 'Captain Marvel' Soar

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Thunderbirds pilot Maj. Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno, one of the many Air Force personnel enlisted to consult on the portrayal of Captain Carol Danvers' aviation chops, was killed in an April 2018 crash at the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis Air Force Base just a week after consulting on the movie, according to Air Force Times.

Captain Marvel blasted across movie screens around the world with a blockbuster opening weekend, and the film's directors say they owe a debt of gratitude not just to the Air Force, but to a fallen Thunderbird pilot.

Thunderbirds pilot Maj. Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno, one of the many Air Force personnel enlisted to consult on the portrayal of Captain Carol Danvers' aviation chops, was killed in an April 2018 crash at the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis Air Force Base just a week after consulting on the movie, according to Air Force Times.

An October report on the fatal accident occurred after Del Bagno lost consciousness due to extreme G-forces while practicing an aerial maneuvers with five other elite Thunderbird pilots in his F-16CM Fighting Falcon.

"The merger between his positive personality and pilot skills made him a 'perfect fit for the Thunderbirds' mission to recruit, retain and inspire," the report said. "A member of his squadron summed up [Del Bagno] as 'just a beautiful human being.'"

Del Bagno's death rocked both Air Force community and the Captain Marvel film crew.