SEATTLE — Thursday marks the third day of search efforts for two aviators whose Navy EA-18G Growler crashed on a routine training flight near Mount Rainier.
Here’s what we know so far.
What happened?
The jet crashed near White Pass around 3:23 p.m. Tuesday, the Navy said in a news release. Aerial search crews found the wreckage Wednesday afternoon but were up against “mountainous terrain, cloudy weather, and low visibility,” according to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Over 24 hours later, the status of the two aviators remained unknown. Their identities had not been released, and the crash remained under investigation.
An emergency operations center was established on Whidbey Island, according to a statement.
The Navy was preparing Wednesday to send personnel into rugged terrain that wasn’t accessible by motor vehicle.
Who is helping with the search?
Flight radar suggested a search spanned more than 40 miles from north to south, according to data from Flightradar24, which tracks flights. The exact location of the wreckage hadn’t been released.
Several law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and Yakima County tribal and local authorities, helped with the ongoing search efforts, the naval air station reported in a Facebook post.
“I am thankful for the tremendous teamwork displayed by the NAS Whidbey Island squadrons … as Team Whidbey continues to respond to our tragic mishap,” Capt. David Ganci said in a statement Wednesday evening. “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.”
The EA-18G Growler
A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler, the new electronic attack (AEA) aircraft, crashed on a training mission Tuesday. Built by Boeing, the Growler is used for suppression of enemy air defenses, and disrupting communication and radar systems missions, according to Esri, U.S. Navy, Boeing and the FAA.
The EA-18G Growlers have often been in the news because, as the name suggests, they’re incredibly loud as they fly overhead, especially on the north end of Whidbey Island. The pilots also get flight hours by rumbling through the remote wilderness of the Cascade Range.
Built by Boeing, the aircraft is a variant within the F/A-18 Super Hornet family, according to the U.S. Navy website. Its specialty is electronic warfare — using radio waves to jam or disrupt enemy equipment — though the jets are also equipped with missiles. Each jet costs $67 million and carries two crew members: a pilot and an electronic-warfare officer.
Weather conditions
Colby Goatley, a meteorologist for NWS Pendelton, which oversees Mount Rainier and surrounding areas, said White Pass saw breezes with light rain Tuesday afternoon.
As the search continues Thursday, NWS predicted rain and snow around White Pass that will last into Friday.
What do we know about the crew?
Identities of the aviators haven’t been released. Based in Oak Harbor, the pair belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, known as the “Zappers.” Nearly all of the Navy’s Growler squadrons are based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station near Oak Harbor.
