{"id":13769,"date":"2019-08-02T22:20:27","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T22:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/08\/02\/navy-identifies-pilot-killed-in-death-valley-crash\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:06:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:06:47","slug":"navy-identifies-pilot-killed-in-death-valley-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2019\/08\/02\/navy-identifies-pilot-killed-in-death-valley-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy identifies pilot killed in Death Valley crash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy F\/A-18E Super Hornet jet pilot killed in a Death Valley crash on July 31 was 33-year-old Lt. Charles Zachary Walker, officials told Navy Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities continue to probe the mishap, which occurred about 40 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven visitors to Death Valley National Park<\/a> were treated for injuries caused by debris hurled from the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Military pilots routinely jet through Star Wars Canyon<\/a>, operations that draw tourists hoping to photograph low-level training missions against the spectacular desert backdrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker was assigned to the Vigilantes of Strike Fighter Squadron 151 based at California\u2019s Naval Air Station Lemoore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe NAS Lemoore aviation family is grieving the loss of one of our own,\u201d said Capt. James Bates, the commander of Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, in a statement emailed to Navy Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Lt. Walker was an incredible naval aviator, husband and son. He was an integral member of the Vigilante family and his absence will be keenly felt on this flight line. Our aviators understand the risk associated with this profession and they knowingly accept it in service to our nation. The untimely loss of a fellow aviator and shipmate pains us all. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t