U.S. Navy Search for Pilots Resumes After EA-18G Crash Near Mount Rainier
A temporary flight restriction was put in place over the search area from the surface to 10,000 feet to protect the aircraft participating in the efforts.
The EA-18G Growler is a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. [Courtesy: U.S. Navy]
A search for two missing U.S. Navy pilots resumed in Washington state Wednesday hours after a EA-18G Growler crashed east of Mount Rainier.
The fighter jet was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers,” based out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island north of Seattle.
The aircraft crashed Tuesday at 3:23 p.m. PDT during a routine training flight, according to a statement released by NAS Whidbey. The names of the flight crew had not been released.
Following the incident, the Navy launched a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter to locate the crew and examine the crash site. As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, however, the status of the crew was unknown.
Search Resumes
Wednesday morning, the weather in the vicinity of the search area was reported as low clouds, precipitation, icing, and turbulence, according to Leidos Flight Service.
A temporary flight restriction was put in place over the search area from the surface to 10,000 feet to protect the aircraft participating in the efforts. Pilots in the area were advised to check NOTAMs for details.
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an F/A-18 variant that integrates electronic attack technology, including tactical jamming pods and communication countermeasures.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
This is a developing story.
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