The fighter jet was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers,” based out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island north of Seattle.

The aircraft crashed Tuesday at 3:23 p.m. PDT during a routine training flight, according to a statement released by NAS Whidbey. The names of the flight crew had not been released.

Following the incident, the Navy launched a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter to locate the crew and examine the crash site. As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, however, the status of the crew was unknown. 

Search Resumes 

Wednesday morning, the weather in the vicinity of the search area was reported as low clouds, precipitation, icing, and turbulence, according to Leidos Flight Service.

A temporary flight restriction was put in place over the search area from the surface to 10,000 feet to protect the aircraft participating in the efforts. Pilots in the area were advised to check NOTAMs for details.

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an F/A-18 variant that integrates electronic attack technology, including tactical jamming pods and communication countermeasures.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

This is a developing story.

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The Blue Angels joined the festivities in 1972 flying F-4J Phantom IIs.This year, for the first time the team will be flying F/A-18 Super Hornet E/Fs. 

The team has not performed in Seattle since 2019. They’ll be staging out of King County International Airport/Boeing Field (KBFI).

“Our tradition is back,” said Ted Huetter, senior manager, public relations and promotions for the Museum of Flight (MOF). The Blue Angels arrived in Seattle earlier this week. They practice each day, and Heutter noted that the museum parking lot was filled with spectators and the road next to the airport was lined with cars.

“The first flight was delayed because of weather, but it was a great time. There were little kids and old-timers and overall it was a festival feeling as people waited for the airplanes to take off, and when it happened, it was wonderfully, wonderfully loud! There was applause—and, of course, car alarms going off.”

The Seafair Airshow is sponsored by the Boeing Company.

During the weekend, the MOF hosts the Jet Blast Bash, which entails the west campus of the museum hosting an outdoor festival complete with food trucks, bounce houses, a beer garden, community booth, and a live remote from a local radio station. Jet Blast Bash activities are included with the price of museum admission.

“It is also a flight line event, we will have Blue Angel No. 8 on display along with some other specialty aircraft, including a Growler of NAS Whidbey to the north. We’ll also have a car club with some vintage Corvettes.” said Huetter.

The Blue Angels have multiple shows which are weather dependent. They have a “low show” and a “high show,” which are both predicated by the cloud ceiling.

Special Guest

Seafair is such a popular event that people come from out of town to partake in it. Getting the award for traveling the farthest distance is 17-year-old Mac Rutherford, a Belgian-British pilot who is attempting to set a record for being the youngest person to fly around the world solo. Last year, his sister Zara, 19, became the youngest woman to fly around the world solo.

Mac Rutherford is flying a Shark.Aero Shark microlight. He began his journey on March 23, 2022, from Sofia, Bulgaria, and as of 9 a.m. August 5, he was on his way to Seattle from Alaska. According to Heutter, Rutherford will be stopping in Seattle this weekend.

About Seafair

The first Seattle Seafair started as a 10-day festival focusing on water activities and music. There were concerts, clowns, parades, and a symbolic coming ashore of pirates. People dressed up and spent days on the water.

When the team is performing, often bridges and roads are closed and a temporary flight restriction shuts down local airspace. Many flight schools and FBOs host barbecues and parties for their clients during the event. 

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