Mystery Surrounds Sudden Crash of Navy’s Advanced EA-18G Growler Over Washington Mountains
Something didn’t add up when one of the Navy’s most advanced electronic warfare jets suddenly vanished from radar over the rugged mountains of Washington.
The EA-18G Growler—an aircraft valued at nearly $70 million and renowned for its cutting-edge technology—went down without sending a distress call, raising pressing questions investigators are now racing to answer.
How could such a sophisticated warplane fall from the sky during a routine mission, and what truly happened in those final moments?
The Navy is mourning the devastating loss of two aviators after the EA-18G Growler crashed during a training mission near Mount Rainier. The jet plunged into steep, forested terrain east of the mountain, leaving many puzzled over how an advanced aircraft of this caliber could be lost so abruptly.
On Monday, officials identified the victims as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, also from California. Both served in Electronic Attack Squadron 130—the “Zappers”—based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, made history in 2023 as part of the first all-female Super Bowl flyover. Wileman, commissioned in 2018, joined the squadron three years later and earned honors including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.
The wreckage was located at approximately 6,000 feet elevation, deep within heavily wooded, steep terrain, complicating recovery efforts. By Sunday, the Navy confirmed that both aviators had perished, shifting focus from rescue to recovery operations. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of two cherished Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, squadron commander. “Our thoughts remain with their families, our sailors, and the Growler community.”
Washington Governor Jay Inslee deployed the National Guard to provide continuous security at the crash site as Navy teams prepare for an extended salvage mission. The cause of the accident remains under federal investigation.
The EA-18G Growler—valued at $67 million—is the Navy’s premier electronic warfare aircraft, adapted from the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Since its deployment at Whidbey Island in 2008, it has played a critical role in military operations worldwide.
Tributes poured in quickly. Senator Patty Murray, who had met Evans at Whidbey Island, called her “a pioneering leader who shattered barriers and made history.” Murray also honored Wileman as “an aviator whose dedication and courage will inspire generations of women to come.”
Conclusion
The deaths of Lt. Cmdr. Evans and Lt. Wileman represent a profound loss not only for their families and squadron but for the entire Navy aviation community. Both women embodied resilience, skill, and a relentless drive to push boundaries in a field where few have walked before them.
Their legacy will echo far beyond their years of service—through every barrier they broke, every mission they undertook, and every future aviator they inspire. As the investigation continues, their courage and leadership remain firmly etched in naval aviation history.