The wreckage of a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler that crashed near Mount Rainier in Washington state has been located while the search for the two crewmembers on board the aircraft continues, service officials confirmed Thursday.
The search teams include the U.S. Navy Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1), Patrol Squadron (VP-46), Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Search and Rescue, and U.S. Army 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, along with Yakima County tribal and local authorities.
Terrain near the crash site is rugged and snow covered, and the search was hampered by low visibility. A temporary flight restriction was put in place over the area Tuesday afternoon and was expected to remain in place until Saturday. Wreckage is in an area so remote that it can only be accessed by air.
The aircraft, based out of NAS Whidbey Island north of Seattle, was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers.”
"The wreckage rests at approximately 6000ft altitude in a remote, steep and heavily wooded area east of Mount Rainier."
"Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible."
Said Capt David Ganci, Commander EAW US Pacific Fleet.
Apparently the area has been in shitty weather for some time and the mountains described as snow covered. Not a good situation for the survivability of the crew if they managed to eject.
Unfortunately the two crew members have been found but deceased in the crash. The focus has been shifted from a SAR effort to a recovery operation.
The identities of the two crew members have not been disclosed as of yet until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.
