Federal investigators are working to determine what caused a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler to crash near Mount Rainier during a routine training mission, killing two aviators assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
The Navy identified the crew as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, both experienced members of the “Zappers” squadron. The aircraft went down in steep, heavily forested terrain at about 6,000 feet, making search and recovery operations extremely difficult.
Wreckage was located a day after the crash, after which the Navy confirmed both aviators had died and shifted from search-and-rescue to recovery efforts. Officials say the remote location and rugged conditions will make the investigation and salvage process complex and time-consuming.
Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the squadron’s commanding officer, called the loss devastating and said support is being provided to the families and unit members.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee authorized National Guard assistance to secure the crash site while Navy teams continue their work on the ground.
The EA-18G Growler, a key electronic warfare aircraft derived from the F/A-18 Super Hornet, has been in service since 2008.
Both Evans and Wileman were recognized for their service and achievements, with Evans noted for her role in a historic all-female Super Bowl flyover in 2023. Investigators have not yet determined why the aircraft went down.
