Navy aircraft crashes near Mount Rainier

Navy jet wreckage found, search continues for crew

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, news broke that aerial search crews located the wreckage of a Navy aircraft crash near Mount Rainier.

YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. - Military aerial search crews located the wreckage of a Navy aircraft that crashed east of Mount Rainier on Tuesday, but have not yet found the two missing crew members.

The U.S. Navy confirmed they found the wreckage of an EA-18G Growler around 12:30 p.m. on a mountainside east of Mt. Rainier. The jet, which took off from Oak Harbor, crashed during a routine training flight on Tuesday at 3:23 p.m.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Dec. 11, 2016) Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexis Rey, from Stratford, Conn., conducts pre-flight checks on an EA-18G Growler assigned to the Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier US

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The U.S. Navy said the wreckage rests at around 6,000 feet altitude in a remote, steep and heavily-wooded area east of the mountain.

Officials say the status of the two crew members "is unknown" and search efforts are still underway.

"I am thankful for the tremendous teamwork displayed by the NAS Whidbey Island squadrons — VAQ, VP, VQ, TOCRON 10 and SAR — as Team Whidbey continues to respond to our tragic mishap," said Capt. David Ganci with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. "I am also grateful to local law enforcement, responders, and tribal communities whose partnership has been essential in planning our critical next steps for access to the site."

A helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is actively searching for two crew members, and an emergency operations center has been established on the island. The Navy is preparing to send military search crews to search the remote area, and note that it is inaccessible by motor vehicles.

(Photo: Yakima County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

On Thursday, the U.S. Navy sent out a press release about the search operation. In it, the U.S. Navy asked the public to remain patient as it prioritizes its efforts to find the pilots.

"Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible," said Capt. David Ganci, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "Adhering to Dept. of Defense procedure, we cannot identify or confirm the names of aircrew involved in a mishap until 24-hours after their next of kin have been notified of their status. Please remain patient and limit speculation about the incident. That is one of the best ways we can respect the privacy of the loved ones who are impacted by this tragic event."

Yakima County Search and Rescue crews also examined the crash site and looked for the crew.

(Photo: Yakima County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

On Thursday, the Yakima County Sheriff's Office thanked their search crews and volunteers, highlighting their rapid response to find the wreckage.

"We are thankful to our search and rescue team for finding the crash site quickly, given the steep mountainous terrain and less-than-ideal weather," wrote the Yakima County Sheriff's Office on Facebook. "We have highly trained and skilled volunteers who serve the Yakima Valley community honorably. We are also thankful to the Goose Prairie community for all your help. Please continue to think of and pray for the Navy families during this challenging time. We are here to support them whatever their needs are."

Navy aircraft crashes near Mount Rainier

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 crashed east of Mount Rainier during a routine training flight.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft from the "Zappers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130.

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Navy Growler jet crash in WA: What may have happened near Mt. Rainier

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Navy Growler jet crash in WA: What may have happened near Mt. Rainier

A Navy fighter jet crashed near Mount Rainier on Tuesday, and the status of the pilots and the plane remains unknown. Aviation expert John Nance weighs in.

What kind of Navy jet crashed near Mount Rainier on Tuesday?

According to the U.S. Navy, the jet that crashed east of Mount Rainier on Tuesday was a Boeing EA-18G Growler fighter jet, which is part of the Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron. Growler jets are designed to fly low in order to jam enemy communications.

In March 2019, the U.S. Navy authorized an expansion of its Growler program. While intended to benefit military progress, an increase of 110,000 flights roaring over the Whidbey Island community every year ignited a lawsuit from the Washington State Attorney General's Office – citing that the Growler jet program failed to consider how the noise could impact classroom learning and local wildlife.

U.S. Navy Lt. Parker Bailey signals the launch of an E/A-18G Growler, attached to the "Zappers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Gulf of Oman Nov. 20, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates.