BREAKING NEWS!! Sad news just confirmed the passing of!
Federal investigators are searching for answers after a tragic Navy aircraft crash near Mount Rainier claimed the lives of two decorated aviators. The EA-18G Growler—a $67 million electronic warfare jet—went down during a routine training mission last week in a rugged stretch of forest east of the mountain, leaving the Navy community and the nation mourning the sudden loss of two exceptional officers.
On Monday, the Navy identified the fallen crew members as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, also from California. Both were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers,” based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state.
The two aviators had been conducting a low-altitude training flight when radar contact was lost. The aircraft disappeared from monitoring systems late Friday morning, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue mission involving Navy aircraft, local authorities, and National Park Service rangers.
The wreckage was located the following afternoon at an elevation of roughly 6,000 feet, scattered across dense, mountainous terrain. Recovery operations were complicated by the steep slopes and winter conditions near the site. By Sunday evening, Navy officials confirmed the heartbreaking news: both aviators had perished in the crash.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of two cherished Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, commanding officer of VAQ-130. “Our focus now is on supporting their families, their fellow sailors, and the wider Growler community as we grieve the passing of two extraordinary warriors and friends.”
Two Trailblazing Aviators
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans was a Naval Flight Officer with an already distinguished career. She made history in 2023 as part of the first-ever all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, commemorating 50 years of women serving as U.S. Navy aviators. Her professionalism, composure, and leadership made her a role model for younger service members, particularly women pursuing aviation careers in a field that, not long ago, was almost entirely male.
Evans’s colleagues described her as calm under pressure, deeply committed to her craft, and passionate about mentoring others. “She was the kind of officer you wanted to fly with and the kind of leader you wanted to serve under,” one squadron member said.
Lt. Serena Wileman, a Naval Aviator, was equally accomplished. Commissioned in 2018, she joined the Zappers three years later after completing an intensive flight training pipeline. Known for her precision and discipline in the cockpit, she had already earned several distinctions, including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. Her peers spoke of her as a rising star with a sharp intellect and unwavering dedication.
Wileman’s family, in a brief statement, said she “lived with purpose and flew with passion.”
“She loved her country, her squadron, and the people she served beside,” her father wrote. “She died doing what she loved—flying.”
A Devastating Loss
The Navy’s Electronic Attack Wing at Whidbey Island is one of the service’s most important aviation commands, responsible for flying and maintaining the EA-18G Growler, a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The Growler specializes in electronic warfare, capable of jamming enemy radar and disrupting communications to protect other aircraft and forces during combat operations.
The aircraft has a reputation for reliability and advanced technology, making the sudden crash especially troubling. “This is a platform with one of the best safety records in naval aviation,” said retired Navy pilot Cmdr. Rick Benson. “For a Growler to go down without distress calls or warning—something went catastrophically wrong.”
The Naval Safety Center, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and local law enforcement, has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Early theories range from mechanical failure to a possible systems malfunction, though officials have cautioned that it could take months to determine what happened.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee authorized the state’s National Guard to secure the crash site, citing both safety and environmental concerns. “Our hearts are with the families and the entire Navy community,” Inslee said in a statement. “Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
A Community in Mourning
At Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the loss of Evans and Wileman has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit aviation community. A candlelight vigil held outside the base drew hundreds of sailors, veterans, and civilians. Many placed flowers and small model aircraft at the memorial, alongside handwritten notes of condolence.
“Two of our very best are gone,” one sailor said quietly. “They set the standard every day—on the ground and in the air.”
Messages of grief and gratitude poured in from across the country. U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who had met Lt. Cmdr. Evans during a visit to the base last year, described her as “a pioneering leader who broke barriers and inspired others through her courage and professionalism.” Murray also paid tribute to Lt. Wileman, saying, “Both of these women represented the very best of the U.S. Navy. They paved the way for generations of aviators to come.”
The Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, issued a statement of her own: “We mourn the loss of two outstanding officers who exemplified excellence, dedication, and the fighting spirit of naval aviation. Their service was marked by bravery and integrity, and their legacy will endure in every pilot and flight officer who takes to the skies.”
Remembering Their Legacy
While the investigation continues, many within the aviation community are focusing on honoring the memory of Evans and Wileman. Both women not only served their country but also helped redefine what leadership and excellence look like in the modern Navy.
Lt. Cmdr. Evans’s participation in the historic Super Bowl flyover was more than a ceremonial gesture—it was a symbol of progress. The event showcased a generation of women who had fought for the right to fly combat aircraft, a milestone first achieved only fifty years ago.
Lt. Wileman carried that torch forward. Known for her attention to detail and quiet confidence, she was often seen volunteering to mentor junior aviators and visiting local schools to talk about careers in aviation. “She believed in lifting others up,” said one of her flight instructors. “She wanted every young girl to know that the sky truly is the limit.”
The Navy plans to hold a joint memorial service at Whidbey Island next week. Family members, colleagues, and friends from across the country are expected to attend. The ceremony will include a traditional missing man formation flyover, a solemn tribute in which one aircraft peels away from the formation to symbolize the loss of a fellow aviator.
The Road Ahead
The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents for the Navy in recent years and has renewed scrutiny on the maintenance and safety of aging aircraft fleets. While the Growler remains a cornerstone of U.S. air operations, officials acknowledge that many of its components are due for upgrades after more than a decade in service.
Still, for those who served alongside Evans and Wileman, this tragedy is not about machinery or policy. It’s about two lives cut short — two aviators who embodied the highest ideals of courage, precision, and service.
As Cmdr. Warburton said in closing his statement, “The skies are a little quieter now, but their spirit will fly with us every time we take off. The Zappers have lost two of their own, but they will forever remain part of our formation.”
Their legacy — one of trailblazing excellence and unshakable commitment — will live on, inspiring every sailor and aviator who dares to fly.