The U.S. Navy says it has confirmed the death of the pilot in the crash of a fighter jet in the California desert.
The Navy says in a statement Thursday that the pilot's identity will be withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin in accordance with Defense Department policy.
The aircraft belonged to Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-151 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California's Central Valley.
The single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed Wednesday morning in a canyon in Death Valley National Park where military aircraft conduct low-level training.
Seven tourists on the ground were treated for minor injuries.
The Navy says the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
