Wow...I'm surprised there weren't 25 dead on the ground. How can you get "minor injuries" from a fighter crash?
Posted on 08/06/2019 11:20:23 AM PDT by robowombat
Navy Identifies Pilot Killed in Death Valley Super Hornet Crash
By: Sam LaGrone August 2, 2019 4:50 PM
Lt. Charles Walker, 33, died when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed about 40 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.
The Navy has identified the pilot who was killed in a Wednesday crash in Death Valley National Park, Calif.
Lt. Charles Walker, 33, died when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed about 40 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. He was on a training mission over a canyon at the national park when the crash occurred.
Walker was assigned to the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
“The NAS Lemoore aviation family is grieving the loss of one of our own,” Capt. James Bates, commander of Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, said in a statement. “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.”
A Navy summary of the crash reviewed by USNI News said the aircraft impacted against the side of the canyon wall during low altitude training. The crash occurred in the so-called “Star Wars” canyon at Death Valley – a popular spot for military aviation photographers. The National Park Service said that seven people suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Walker had reported to the squadron in February 2018, shortly after the Vigilantes had returned from a deployment aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), according to his official Navy biography.
Prior to the assignment, Walker had been assigned to the Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific at NAS Lemoore. He had also been assigned to the “Dambuster” Strike Fighter Squadron 195 as part of the Navy’s forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing 5 based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
He commissioned in late 2008 shortly before graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. Walker did not list a home of record, according to Navy officials.
The following is the complete Aug. 2, 2019 Navy statement.
Pilot Identified Following F/A-18E Super Hornet Crash
Lemoore, CA (NNS) – The pilot of the F/A-18E Super Hornet that crashed approximately 40 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. on July 31 has been identified.
The Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, was flown by Lt. Charles Z. Walker, 33.
“The NAS Lemoore aviation family is grieving the loss of one of our own,” said Capt. James Bates, Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific. “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.”
The pilot was on a routine training mission in the area at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Navy mourns the loss of one of our own, and our hearts go out to the family and friends affected by this tragedy.
Here is a 10 minute video update from pilot Juan Browne about the crash. The plane occurred in “Star Wars Canyon” near Death Valley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaKSDDaYfPE
Five minute video of low level flying in the canyon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-HsDA_cPqY
Another one of America’s best is gone.
RIP Lieutenant Walker. May God Almighty welcome you home with open arms.
RIP my brother in arms. Comfort and peace to your family and friends.
No room for error there...
Sad news...R.I.P Lt. Walker
Don’t know all the details here, but I suspect that the presence of observers filming and taking pictures of these guys in “Star Wars Canyon” may prompt these guys to push the envelope a little further. Much as the presence of people filming and taking pictures at the top corner at “The Snake” in the Malibu hills prompts riders to take the corner a little faster than they would otherwise. Even trained naval aviators aren’t completely immune to the impulse to show off.
Good point - I can’t disagree.
RIP Lt.
Needless to say (I hope), I’m sorry to hear of the death of this aviator.
While driving to Death Valley, on the pass from the Panamint Valley into Death Valley proper I had the pleasure of watching one of those guys streak across the desert floor, below my viewpoint. May be the first time I ever saw a plane fly past *below* me.
What about Shenanigans? A person with a laser pointer among the photographers? Some other distraction or threat?
No greater thrill than flying low and fast.
Possible, although if spotted I suspect the other aviation enthusiasts on site would beat the crap out of someone doing something like that.
I’m not saying that this is a result of this pilot pushing the limits. There could have been a mechanical failure, or a simple misjudgement. Flying low and fast like this is inherently risky, but also useful, which is why they practice it.
Wow...I'm surprised there weren't 25 dead on the ground. How can you get "minor injuries" from a fighter crash?
People got sprayed with debris.
Saw some pictures of the injured, looks like those closest to the crash got some debris or gravel in the legs.
Great video...thanks for the link!
Watching that, I can’t help but think that we don’t lose a lot more in such low-level practice flying.
You’d think ANY debris would slice you to bits. They must have been a LONG ways from the actual crash site.
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