The Navy confirmed the deaths of two female aviators whose electronic warfare aircraft crashed near Mount Rainier in Washington state on Monday.
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, of California, were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The EA-18G Growler went down in steep, heavily wooded terrain at approximately 6,000 feet.
Who They Were
Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, made history in 2023 as part of the first all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, commemorating five decades of women in naval aviation. Wileman, commissioned as a Naval Aviator in 2018, joined the squadron known as the “Zappers” three years later and received multiple commendations including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of two cherished Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the squadron’s commanding officer. “Our priority is supporting their families, our sailors, and the Growler community.”
The Recovery Effort
Search teams located the wreckage one day after the crash in terrain that complicated initial recovery operations. The Navy transitioned from search-and-rescue to recovery operations by Sunday after confirming both aviators had died.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee authorized the National Guard to provide continuous security at the site while Navy teams prepared for extended salvage operations. The investigation into the crash’s cause remains ongoing.
Military Recognition
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who had met Evans during a previous base visit, described her as “a pioneering leader who broke barriers and made history.” Murray extended condolences to both families, noting that the aviators “paved the way for generations of women who will follow in their footsteps.”
The EA-18G Growler, valued at $67 million, serves as the Navy’s primary electronic warfare platform and arrived at Whidbey Island in 2008.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
