Mount Rainier, WA — What began as a routine training mission turned into a national tragedy when two distinguished U.S. Navy aviators, both just 31 years old, lost their lives in a devastating fighter jet crash near Mount Rainier.
The Navy confirmed on Monday that Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, a celebrated Naval Flight Officer from Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, a rising Naval Aviator, were the two crew members aboard the EA-18G Growler that crashed last Tuesday in a remote, wooded region east of the iconic Washington mountain.
Their deaths have sent ripples of grief through the military community and beyond — not just for the loss of two brave women, but for what they represented: excellence, history, and the next chapter of women in naval aviation.
An aerial search team located the wreckage of the aircraft one day after the crash, about 6,000 feet up in a steep and heavily forested area. The terrain was so difficult to navigate that recovery efforts had to be delayed. On Sunday, Navy officials declared both aviators dead and transitioned from search and rescue to a solemn recovery mission.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 130, known as the “Zappers.” “Our priority right now is taking care of the families of our fallen aviators and ensuring the well-being of our sailors and the Growler community.”
Lyndsay Evans wasn’t just a pilot — she was a pioneer.
In 2023, she made headlines as part of the Navy’s first-ever all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, commemorating 50 years since women first entered U.S. Navy flight school. The historic moment, viewed by millions, became a symbol of progress and pride for women in uniform.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country,” Evans told the Los Angeles Times at the time. “Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than yourself.”
Her legacy now stands as a tribute to countless women who dare to break barriers in male-dominated spaces — and to the future aviators she inspired with her courage and composure.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who met Evans at Whidbey Island’s Naval Air Station last year, said she was “heartbroken” to learn of her death. “She was a leader who broke barriers and made history. I am deeply grateful for her courage and sacrifice.”
Lt. Serena Wileman, also from California, was commissioned in 2018 and joined the Zappers in 2021. Though younger in her military journey, her achievements already marked her as someone to watch. She earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, and a Combat Action Ribbon — distinctions that reflect both dedication and bravery.
Wileman was well-loved within her squadron, described by peers as “quietly fierce” and “focused, humble, and unshakably loyal.”
Sen. Murray also honored Wileman in her statement, saying, “Her service has no doubt made a difference, clearing a path for the women who will come after her.”
The EA-18G Growler, developed for electronic warfare and radar jamming, has been a critical asset in U.S. military operations worldwide. Each aircraft seats two: a pilot and an electronic warfare officer — in this case, Wileman and Evans.
Since 2008, the Growlers stationed at Whidbey Island have supported major global missions. But Tuesday’s flight was part of a routine domestic training exercise.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
As crews continue to recover wreckage and personal effects, Washington state’s National Guard has been deployed to provide 24/7 security at the site. Governor Jay Inslee approved the request from the Navy on Sunday, noting the significance of both protecting the crash site and supporting grieving families.
Naval officials have vowed a thorough review, but for now, the focus is on healing — both for those who knew Evans and Wileman personally, and for a nation that has once again been reminded of the quiet heroism carried out in the skies every day.
They were more than pilots. They were mentors, trailblazers, daughters, friends — and patriots.
Their loss is profound.
Their legacy? Undeniable.
