Two Navy pilots involved in the crash of their EA-18G Growler jet in Washington state have been declared dead by the U.S. Navy. The pilots were part of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. The Navy has shifted from search and rescue efforts to recovery operations, with personnel on site recovering debris and planning for a long-term salvage and recovery effort. The names of the pilots will not be released until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
The pilots crashed in a remote area east of Mount Rainier during a routine training flight on October 15. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the home of U.S. Navy tactical electronic warfare squadrons operating the Growler, described the Zappers as the oldest such squadron in the Navy. The squadron had recently returned from a deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, stationed in the Middle East from November 2023 to June 2024.
After the crash, multiple search and rescue teams, along with a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter and specialized mountaineering groups, were dispatched to locate the crash site. Cloudy weather and low visibility hindered search efforts, but on October 18, crews located the crash site at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet in a remote, steep, and heavily wooded area east of Mount Rainier. The priority remains finding the aircrew, with the Navy, partner agencies, and local law enforcement working together to safely recover the deceased pilots.
Commanding officer Timothy Warburton expressed the Navy’s focus on taking care of the families of the fallen aviators and ensuring the well-being of Sailors and the Growler community. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with the Navy working to determine what led to the tragic incident. The loss of the two pilots has been deeply felt within the Navy community, with efforts focused on recovery operations and supporting those affected by the tragedy.
The Naval Air Station Whidbey Island serves as a crucial hub for U.S. Navy tactical electronic warfare squadrons operating the EA-18G Growler. The Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 have a long history within the Navy and had recently completed a deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The crash of the two-seater Growler jet has prompted a shift from search and rescue to recovery operations, with a focus on finding the aircrew and supporting their families during this difficult time.
The search and recovery efforts following the crash have involved multiple teams, including specialized mountaineering groups and partner agencies, working to locate and examine the crash site in a remote and challenging terrain. Despite adverse weather conditions, crews were able to locate the crash site and are working to recover the debris and the deceased pilots. The Navy continues to investigate the cause of the crash as they prioritize supporting the families of the fallen aviators and the larger Growler community in the wake of this tragic event.
