The U.S. Navy has named the pilot killed in a plane crash near Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on Friday.
Lt. Christopher Carey Short, from Canandaigua, N.Y., died when the light attack aircraft he was flying crashed over the Red Rio Bombing Range, which lies within the White Sands Missile Range, according to a statement released by the Navy.
“There’s no way to describe the shock of this loss and the sadness we feel for his family,” Col. Houston Cantwell, commander of Holloman’s 49th Wing, wrote. “He did pioneering work in aviation that will help shape American air power for years to come. We’re thankful to have known him and grateful for his devotion to duty.”
A second person aboard the A-29 Super Tucano suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital, but their name and condition was not immediately available to the public, per Fox News.
The pair were taking part in a demonstration as the Air Force decides whether the Super Tucano, produced by Sierra Nevada/Embraer, or the Textron Aviation AT-6 Wolverine will be chosen for a new fleet of light attack aircraft.
The incident is still under investigation, the Navy said.
