The Navy confirms the death of the crew after a plane crash near Mount Rainier in Washington

U.S. Navy officials confirmed Sunday that the two crew members of a Navy plane that crashed near Washington’s Mount Rainier last week had been located and pronounced dead.

The EA-18G Growler aircraft from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Electronic Attack Squadron crashed into a mountainside east of Mount Rainier Tuesday afternoon. While the aircraft wreckage was located at approximately 6,000 feet in a remote, steep, and heavily forested area, the status of the crew remained unknown without an assessment of the debris area.

Army Special Forces soldiers trained in mountain climbing, high-angle rescue and medical and technical communications skills needed to navigate the difficult terrain assisted in efforts to locate the missing crew members as quickly as possible.

On Sunday, the Navy said Electronic Attack Wing Pacific was transitioning from search and rescue efforts to recovery operations, noting that the two missing crew members had been located and pronounced dead.

Navy jet found after crash near Mount Rainier in Washington

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” Commander Timothy Warburton, commander of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, said Sunday. “Our priority at this time is caring for the families of our fallen Airmen and ensuring the well-being of our Sailors and the Growler community. We are grateful for the continued teamwork to find the deceased safely.

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In a news release, the Navy said out of respect for the families and in accordance with Navy policy, the identities of the crew members would be kept confidential for 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

Personnel will remain on site to recover the debris and plan for the long-term recovery and recovery efforts, the Navy said.

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The Navy added that the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

The EA-18G is a variant of the F/A-18 aircraft family equipped with advanced electronic warfare capabilities used for tactical jamming and electronic protection, according to the Navy website. The jet was built to replace the EA-6B Prowler and first went into production in October 2004.

The aircraft made its maiden flight in August 2006 and the aircraft’s first delivery took place on June 3, 2008 to VAQ 129 at NAS Whidbey Island.

Each plane carries a price tag of $67 million.

Original article source: The Navy confirms the death of the crew after a plane crash near Mount Rainier in Washington