The U.S. Navy has identified the two aviators killed in a fighter jet crash near Mount Rainier as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, both 31 and from California.
According to the United States Navy, the pair were flying an EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130—known as the “Zappers”—when the aircraft went down during a training mission east of the mountain.
Search crews later located the wreckage in a remote, steep, and heavily wooded area at around 6,000 feet elevation. The operation initially began as a search-and-rescue effort but was later shifted to recovery after officials confirmed both aviators had died.
Evans was recognized for her role in a historic moment during Super Bowl LVII, where she participated in the first all-female military flyover, commemorating 50 years of women serving as Navy aviators.
Wileman, who joined the squadron in 2021, had earned several honors during her service, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Officials say the cause of the crash remains under investigation. In the meantime, the Navy emphasized that its focus is on supporting the families of the fallen aviators and the broader Growler community during this difficult time.