Search Intensifies for Missing Aircrew of Crashed U.S. Navy EA-18G

The fighter jet crashed Tuesday at 3:23 p.m. PDT during a routine training flight, according to Navy officials. The names of the flight crew have not been released.

Wednesday, the wreckage was found on a steep, heavily forested slope at an elevation of 6,000 feet east of Mount Rainier. The area is not accessible by roads, and search crews have been hampered by low visibility in the area.

Military authorities said that the status of the crew cannot be confirmed without a site assessment of the debris area. It is not known if the crew was able to eject before the crash.

“Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Captain David Ganci, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Adhering to Department of Defense procedure, we cannot identify or confirm the names of aircrew involved in a mishap until 24-hours after their next of kin have been notified of their status.”

Civilian law enforcement, mountain search and rescue teams, and military assets are being used in the search. Thursday, soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, joined the search. They bring specialized skills in mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical, and technical communication skills that are necessary to access the site in the Cascade Mountain Range.

“We appreciate the community support as experienced personnel respond around the crash site,” said Captain Nathan Gammache, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. “We are confident that we have the capability we need at this time and will request any additional capabilities, if needed, via official channels in coordination with the on-site incident commander.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.