The Navy confirmed the deaths of two aviators whose EA-18G Growler crashed near Mount Rainier during a training mission in Washington state.
The aircraft went down in rugged, forested terrain east of the mountain on a routine training flight. Federal investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash.
Who Were The Aviators
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, of California, were both assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, made history in 2023 as part of the first all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, honoring five decades of women in naval aviation. Wileman was commissioned in 2018 and earned multiple awards 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
The wreckage was discovered a day after the crash at approximately 6,000 feet in steep, heavily wooded terrain. The Navy shifted from search-and-rescue to recovery operations after confirming both aviators had died.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee authorized the National Guard to provide round-the-clock security near the site. Navy teams are preparing for a long-term salvage effort.
The Aircraft And Legacy
The EA-18G Growler is a $67 million electronic warfare platform derived from the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The aircraft first arrived at Whidbey Island in 2008.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who met Evans during a previous base visit, called her “a pioneering leader who broke barriers and made history.” She extended condolences to Wileman’s family and noted both aviators “paved the way for generations of women who will follow in their footsteps.”
This story has been updated. CNN’s investigative team contributed to this report.
