Pentagon identifies Navy pilot killed in New Mexico crash

A Navy pilot who was killed in an A-29 aircraft crash in New Mexico on Friday has been identified as Lt. Christopher Carey Short of Canandaigua, N.Y.

The Navy said late Saturday that Short was killed when the A-29 he was flying crashed on a mission over the Red Rio Bombing Range, near Holloman Air Force Base.

{mosads}“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, said in a statement.

“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.”

Two pilots were aboard the A-29, which was taking part in the Air Force’s Light Attack Experiment when it crashed at about 11:30 a.m.

The other pilot “suffered minor injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital,” the 49th Wing said in a statement Friday.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.