Search continues for 2 crew after Navy aircraft wreckage found east of Mount Rainier

A Navy aircraft that crashed east of Mount Rainier in Washington state Tuesday evening has been found, but the search for the two crew members who were on board was ongoing, the Navy said.

The Navy EA-18G Growler, which is an electronic attack aircraft that is part of the F/A-18 family of aircraft, was on a routine training flight when it crashed, the Navy said in a statement.

The wreckage of the plane was found Wednesday afternoon on a mountainside east of Mount Rainier, but the two crew members have not been located, it said.

“The status of the two crew members is unknown while the search effort continues,” the Navy said.

The search included a Navy MH-60S helicopter launched from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, which is north of Seattle, the Navy said.

The plane was from Electronic Attack Squadron 130, also known as VAQ-130, which is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The squadron is nicknamed the “Zappers.” The Navy says it is the oldest electronic warfare squadron in the Navy.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.