On Wednesday afternoon, search crews located the wreckage of a Navy EA-18G Growler that crashed near Mount Rainier during a routine training flight.
Wreckage Discovered in Remote Area
The crash site was found at around 12:30 p.m. on a mountainside east of Mount Rainier, an area described by the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island as remote and inaccessible by motorized vehicles.
The jet, part of the U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130) known as “The Zappers,” went down at approximately 3:23 p.m. on Tuesday. The aircraft had been flying in the region as part of routine training operations when the incident occurred. As of Wednesday afternoon, the two crew members onboard at the time of the crash remain unaccounted for.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts
The Navy, in coordination with local authorities, continues the search for the missing crew members. A Navy spokesperson confirmed that search operations will proceed, with efforts being spearheaded by NAS Whidbey Island, where the VAQ-130 squadron is based. An emergency operations center has been established at NAS Whidbey Island to coordinate response efforts.
Capt. David Ganci, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Electronic Attack Wing, expressed gratitude for the cooperation between various Navy squadrons and local responders, including tribal communities. “I am thankful for the tremendous teamwork displayed by the NAS Whidbey Island squadrons as Team Whidbey continues to respond to our tragic mishap,” said Ganci. He also acknowledged the crucial role of local law enforcement and first responders in planning the next steps to access the crash site.
To assist in the recovery mission, the Navy requested support from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) search and rescue team. YCSO Public Information Officer Casey Schilperoort stated that multiple teams were actively involved in the search, with additional help from regional teams expected to step in during rest periods for the initial search units. Other participants in the search and rescue mission include U.S. Navy Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1), Patrol Squadron (VP-46), and the U.S. Army 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).
Investigation into Crash Cause
The EA-18G Growler that crashed is a specialized electronic warfare aircraft used by the U.S. Navy. The VAQ-130 squadron had recently completed a combat deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3. All Growler squadrons, except one stationed in Japan, are based at NAS Whidbey Island. While search and rescue efforts continue, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. NAS North Island has stated that preparations are underway to secure the crash site as recovery teams are dispatched.
The incident has drawn attention due to the Growler’s specialized role within the Navy, and the investigation will aim to determine the factors that led to the unfortunate crash during what was described as a routine training mission.
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