Academy grad killed in plane crash

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNS) --  Air Force officials confirmed Dec. 23 the identity of an officer who died Dec. 22 as a result of a civilian aircraft accident near Colorado Springs Airport, Colo.

First Lt. Martin Anthony Riggan, 25, of Little Rock, Ark. and his wife died after their Mooney's M20E aircraft crashed east of the runway.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene by El Paso County Deputy Coroner Josh Stieber.

Lieutenant Riggan was a B-1B Lancer pilot assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron here and a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

"We are profoundly saddened by this tragic loss," said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, the 28th Bomb Wing commander. "Lieutenant Riggan will be deeply missed by his fellow Airmen. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

Airport officials reported their tower lost communication with the aircraft at 12:01 p.m. while it was trying to land at Colorado Springs Airport. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Lieutenant Riggan had been stationed at Ellsworth since April 2010.

(Courtesy of 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs)