5 Critical Aviation Incidents: What We Know About The Recent Washington State Plane Crashes (2024-2025)

The skies over Washington State have seen a disturbing number of aviation incidents in the latter half of 2024 and into the current year, December 12, 2025, with two high-profile crashes—one military and one civilian—drawing national attention and prompting intensive investigations. These recent events underscore the inherent risks of both high-performance military training operations and general aviation flights in the challenging terrain of the Pacific Northwest, leaving communities mourning and experts seeking answers about the causes of these sudden, catastrophic failures. The most shocking incident involved a state-of-the-art Navy jet near Mount Rainier, while a separate, fatal seaplane accident near Kent highlighted the perennial concerns surrounding general aviation safety and pilot procedures. This deep dive examines the facts, the victims, and the ongoing inquiries by the U.S. Navy and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into the crashes that have shaken Washington’s aviation community.

The Tragic Loss: Profile of the Fallen Growler Aviators

The U.S. Navy and the nation mourned the loss of two decorated naval aviators following the crash of an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jet on October 15, 2024, east of Mount Rainier. The two officers, both based out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, were conducting a routine training mission when the accident occurred. The crew members, who were declared deceased on October 18, 2024, were identified as:

• Commander Lyndsay P. Evans (31)
  • Rank: Commander (Cmdr.)
  • Age: 31
  • Squadron: Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, also known as the "Zappers."
  • Home Base: Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
  • Role: Highly experienced naval aviator.
• Lieutenant Serena N. Wileman (31)
  • Rank: Lieutenant (Lt.)
  • Age: 31
  • Squadron: Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130.
  • Home Base: Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
  • Role: Experienced Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) or Pilot.

Both officers were part of a crucial unit responsible for electronic attack missions, a vital component of modern naval warfare. Their loss has sent ripples through the tight-knit military aviation community, particularly at NAS Whidbey Island, which serves as a major hub for the Navy’s electronic attack capabilities.

What We Know About the October 2024 Mount Rainier Military Jet Crash

The incident involving the EA-18G Growler remains one of the most high-profile aviation accidents in Washington State in recent memory. The crash occurred in a rugged, heavily wooded area near Mount Rainier, significantly complicating the initial search and recovery efforts. The aircraft, a twin-engine, two-seat jet, went down during a standard training flight. The wreckage was located quickly, but the difficult terrain delayed the recovery of the crew and the crucial flight data recorders.

The Aircraft: The EA-18G Growler

The EA-18G Growler is a highly specialized variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. It is designed for electronic warfare missions, including jamming enemy radar and communications systems. * Type: Electronic Attack Aircraft. * Manufacturer: Boeing. * Base: NAS Whidbey Island. * Mission: Electronic Attack, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). The official investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted by the U.S. Navy, which will examine factors ranging from mechanical failure and maintenance records to weather conditions and potential human factors. Unlike civilian accidents, the NTSB typically assists but the military retains primary investigative authority.

The Unseen Dangers: Recent Small Aircraft Accidents in Washington State

While military jet crashes capture headlines, a continuous stream of general aviation accidents also impacts Washington State, a region popular for recreational flying due to its stunning, yet treacherous, mountainous landscape. The NTSB is actively investigating several such incidents from 2024.

The Lake Meridian Seaplane Incident (Cessna A185F)

A notable non-military accident occurred on August 24, 2024, when a Cessna A185F Skywagon seaplane crashed into Lake Meridian near Kent, Washington. This incident resulted in one fatality—the pilot. The NTSB’s preliminary report provided a critical detail: the seaplane had its landing gear extended at the time of impact. * Aircraft: Cessna A185F Skywagon (Registration: N61323). * Location: Lake Meridian, Kent, WA. * Date: August 24, 2024. * Key Finding: The landing gear was down, a configuration that is incorrect for a water landing and can cause a seaplane to flip or nose over violently upon contact with the water. The investigation is focusing on whether this was a case of pilot distraction, a procedural oversight, or a mechanical malfunction that prevented the retraction of the gear. This type of accident, often referred to as a "gear-down landing," is a known risk in seaplane operations and serves as a stark reminder of the precision required in general aviation.

Other Notable 2024 Incidents

The year 2024 saw other fatal general aviation crashes across the state, further emphasizing the need for vigilance:

• Paine Field Crash (Snohomish County): A Beechcraft Bonanza airplane crashed in a heavily wooded area shortly after a southerly departure from Paine Field, resulting in one death and one serious injury.
• Olympic National Park Crash (Port Angeles): A small plane went down in a remote area, leading to one fatality and two injuries, highlighting the challenges of search and rescue in the rugged Olympic Mountains.
• Stevenson Accident (Skamania County): A crash near Stevenson resulted in one fatality and one rescue, suggesting a flight path through the Columbia River Gorge region.

The Ongoing Investigation and Aviation Safety in the Pacific Northwest

The recent spate of accidents, particularly the high-profile Navy Growler crash and the tragic seaplane incident, has intensified the focus on aviation safety protocols across Washington State.

Military Investigation Focus

The Navy’s investigation into the EA-18G Growler crash is a complex process. Key areas of inquiry include: * Aircraft Maintenance: A thorough review of the jet's maintenance logs and recent service history. * Pilot Factors: Examination of the crew's training, experience, and fatigue levels. * Environmental Factors: Analysis of weather conditions and how the mountainous terrain may have played a role. * Electronic Systems: Given the specialized nature of the Growler, the performance of its electronic warfare systems will also be scrutinized. The findings will be critical for the Navy's VAQ-130 squadron and for military aviation safety procedures globally.

NTSB's Role in Civilian Safety

For civilian accidents like the Lake Meridian seaplane crash, the NTSB's final report is crucial for preventative measures. The preliminary finding on the landing gear suggests that checklist discipline and situational awareness will be central to their final determination. The NTSB often issues safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) based on these findings, which can lead to changes in pilot training and operational procedures for seaplanes and other high-risk aircraft types. Washington State’s geography, with its mix of major international airports (like Seattle-Tacoma International Airport), numerous small municipal airfields, and challenging mountain ranges, makes it a unique environment for flying. The high frequency of general aviation traffic, combined with military operations from bases like NAS Whidbey Island and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, necessitates a constant, rigorous commitment to safety from all entities. The lessons learned from these 2024 and 2025 tragedies will undoubtedly shape the future of flight safety in the Pacific Northwest.