Aircraft Was Conducting A Training Exercise

The U.S. Navy has issued an official release confirming that all three crew members aboard a Navy EA-6B Prowler jet assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, were fatally injured when the aircraft went down Monday morning in an unpopulated area approximately 50 miles west of Spokane, WA.

The names of those killed in the crash will not be released until 24 hours after family members have been informed.
 
The aircraft was conducting a training flight prior to the crash. The Navy says a safety investigation is underway to determine the cause.

The Prowler can carry a crew of four, including a pilot and three ECM officers.

NAS Whidbey Island is the home of all Navy tactical electronic attack squadrons flying the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler. Adding to the depth and capability of the air station are four P-3 Orion Maritime Patrol squadrons and two Fleet Reconnaissance squadrons flying the EP-3E Aries.

According to the Navy, the Prowler is a long-range, all-weather aircraft with advanced electronic countermeasures capability. Manufactured by the Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, it is a twin-engine, mid-wing configured aircraft that has a side by-side cockpit arrangement. The EA-6B war fighting systems includes the ALQ-99 on board receiver, the ALQ-99 pod mounted jamming system, the USQ-113 communications jamming system and the HARM missile.

(EA-6B image from file)

FMI: www.navy.mil