The Navy announced on Monday that the two individuals who lost their lives in a jet fighter accident last week near Mount Rainier were both 31-year-old female pilots from California.
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, serving as a Naval Flight Officer, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, a Naval Aviator, were fatally injured when their EA-18G Growler jet, part of the Electronic Attack Squadron known as the “Zappers,” crashed during a training mission on Tuesday. The incident occurred east of Mount Rainier, according to officials at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Evans, hailing from Palmdale, California, was notable for being part of the historic all-female flyover during Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023, recognizing 50 years of women in Navy flying roles, as explained by a Navy spokesperson.
The first women entered U.S. Navy flight training in 1973, and Evans expressed her commitment to her service, saying, “I joined the Navy to serve my country. Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than yourself.”
Wileman, who was commissioned in 2018, became part of the Zappers at Whidbey Island in 2021. Her service earned her several accolades, including the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, and a Combat Action Ribbon.
Following the crash, an aerial team located the wreckage the next day at approximately 6,000 feet in a rugged, wooded area east of Mount Rainier. Sadly, Navy personnel confirmed the aviators’ deaths on Sunday and transitioned from search and rescue operations to recovery efforts.
Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the squadron’s commanding officer, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “With a heavy heart, we share the loss of two beloved Zappers. Our focus is on supporting the families of our aviators and ensuring the well-being of our personnel.”
The recovery operation has included the retrieval of debris, and plans for ongoing salvage efforts are underway. Washington Governor Jay Inslee confirmed that the Navy requested the support of the National Guard to provide security at designated traffic control points, which he authorized on Sunday.
The investigation into the crash’s cause is still ongoing. The EA-18G Growler had its first unit delivered to Whidbey Island in 2008 and has since been involved in various operations worldwide. The aircraft is designed to accommodate a pilot in the front seat and an electronics operator in the rear.
The Navy has described the Growler as representing cutting-edge technology in airborne Electronic Attack and being essential to maintaining security in challenging environments. The cost of each aircraft is approximately $67 million.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray expressed her sadness upon learning of Evans’s death, recalling her previous encounter with the pilot at the Naval Air Station. “I am profoundly grateful for her bravery and dedication in service to our nation. She was an inspiring leader who broke barriers and made history,” Murray remarked.
The senator also extended her condolences to Wileman’s family, expressing pride in both women’s significant careers and their contributions, paving the way for future generations of female aviators.