Navy arrives at Growler jet crash site near Mount Rainier, search continues for aircrew

WASHINGTON STATE — The United States Navy, local law enforcement, and partner agencies have reached the site where an EA-18G Growler crashed east of Mount Rainier Tuesday afternoon.

The two crew members who were onboard the Growler at the time were still unaccounted for as of 5 p.m. Friday.

The Navy, in an update sent to KOMO News Friday evening, said personnel were at the crash site “methodically searching an expansive area, evaluating debris and searching for information in the snow-covered, wilderness environment.”

“Finding the aircrew continues to be our primary focus,” Naval Air Station North Island said in a statement.

The EA-18G Growler crashed into a mountainside east of Mount Rainier on Tuesday afternoon during a “routine training flight.” Aerial search crews found the crash site around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The crash site is in a “steep and heavily wooded area” around 6,000 feet in elevation. Officials previously said the remote area was not accessible by motorized vehicles.

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The Navy requested assistance from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office’s search and rescue team and other local law enforcement to help locate the aircraft and missing crew members, YCSO Public Information Officer Casey Schilperoort told KOMO News on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a Navy spokesperson said other military personnel were also assisting in the search, including soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The Navy said the airborne group “brings specialized mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical, and technical communication skills necessary to navigate the difficult terrain associated with the Cascade Mountain Range that is inaccessible by other means.”

An emergency operations center was established at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island earlier this week to coordinate response efforts.

“The status of the crew cannot be confirmed without a site assessment of the debris area,” the YCSO posted on X Friday morning. “There are no known hazards to the public. We appreciate the community support as experienced personnel respond around the crash site.”

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Capt. David Ganci, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet said the Navy could not “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. Please remain patient and limit speculation about the incident. That is one of the best ways we can respect the privacy of the loved ones who are impacted by this tragic event.”

The EA-18G Growler is similar to the F/A-18F Super Hornet—the type of jet used by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels—and includes sophisticated electronic warfare devices.All Growler squadrons are based at NASWI, with the exception of one squadron (VAQ-141) stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan.

The Growler jet that crashed is from “The Zappers,” otherwise known as Electronic Attack Squadron 130 or VAQ-130.

According to the Navy’s website, the similarities between Growler and Super Hornet jets allow the Growler room for future upgrades and growth. Boeing said the Growler “is the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform and is the only one in production today.”

The 60.2-foot-long and 16-foot-tall Growler has 44,000 pounds of thrust. The jet has a 44.9-foot wingspan and weighs 33,094 pounds when empty.