Tragic news emerged recently as two Navy pilots lost their lives in a crash in Washington state, as confirmed by the U.S. Navy on Sunday.
According to the Navy’s statement, the “Electronic Attack Wing Pacific has transitioned from search and rescue to recovery operations,” emphasizing the ongoing efforts to sift through debris and strategize for a comprehensive recovery.
The names of the pilots will remain private until at least 24 hours after their next of kin have been informed, in line with Navy protocols.
Incident Overview
The pilots were operating a two-seat EA-18G Growler jet, part of the Electronic Attack Squadron 130 stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, located about 80 miles north of Seattle.
The crash took place around 3:20 p.m. PDT on October 15, during a “routine training flight” in a remote area near Mount Rainier, as reported by the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
This base is home to all U.S. Navy squadrons flying the Growler, with Electronic Attack Squadron 130 holding the title of the Navy’s oldest electronic warfare squadron. Recently, they returned from a deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was active in the Middle East from November 2023 to June 2024.
Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP
Search and Recovery Efforts
In the wake of the crash, multiple teams, including a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, were promptly dispatched to locate the site. Expert mountaineering teams also lent their support in the search.
Unfortunately, the following day brought cloudy conditions and poor visibility. However, crews managed to find the crash site at around 12:30 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, situated at an altitude of about 6,000 feet in a hard-to-reach, densely wooded area near Mount Rainier, which is known for its major glaciers as noted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
By the evening of October 18, Navy personnel, along with local law enforcement and partner agencies, had reached the scene. The Navy stated, “Finding the aircrew remains our primary focus.”
Current Situation
In a recent update, Warburton expressed, “Our top priority is caring for the families of our fallen aviators and ensuring the well-being of our Sailors and the Growler community. We appreciate the continuous collaboration in safely recovering the deceased.”
The investigation into the cause of the crash is currently ongoing.