Two Navy aviators died when their EA-18G Growler jet crashed in rugged terrain near Mount Rainier during a routine training mission on Saturday.
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, of California, were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Federal investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash in the heavily forested area east of the mountain.
Who Were the Aviators
Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, made history in 2023 as part of the first all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, celebrating five decades of women in naval aviation. Wileman, a Naval Aviator commissioned in 2018, earned multiple military honors including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of two cherished Zappers,” Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the squadron’s commanding officer, said in a statement. “Our priority is supporting their families, our sailors, and the Growler community.”
Recovery and Investigation
Rescuers located the wreckage at approximately 6,000 feet in steep, heavily wooded terrain a day after the crash. The Navy transitioned from search-and-rescue to recovery operations by Sunday after confirming both aviators had died.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee authorized the National Guard to provide round-the-clock security near the site while Navy teams prepare for long-term salvage efforts. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The Aircraft and Their Legacy
The EA-18G Growler, a $67 million electronic warfare platform derived from the F/A-18 Super Hornet, arrived at Whidbey Island in 2008 and serves as the Navy’s front-line combat aircraft. U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who had met Evans during a previous base visit, described her as “a pioneering leader who broke barriers and made history.”
Both aviators expanded the presence of women in combat aviation roles and will be remembered for their courage and service to the military. Their deaths mark a significant loss for the Navy aviation community.
This story has been updated. CNN’s military affairs team contributed to this report.
