Two US Navy pilots have been pronounced dead after going missing following the crash of a fighter jet in mountainous terrain in Washington. The crash of an Electronic Attack Squadron EA-18G Growler jet occurred Tuesday afternoon east of Mount Rainier.

After an extensive search operation, authorities declared the Navy pilots dead on Sunday. Search teams, including a US Navy MH-60S helicopter, launched from the air station to try to find the crew and the crash site shortly after the incident. In a statement released on Sunday, the US Navy said the identities of the two pilots would not be revealed until a day after their next of kin had been informed.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said Timothy Warburton, Airmen Electronic Attack Squadron commander. “Our priority right now is caring for the families of our fallen Airmen. We are grateful for the ongoing teamwork to recover the deceased safely,” he added.

A training flight turned deadly

The accident occurred while the plane was conducting a routine training flight in the dangerous region. The search operation took place near Mount Rainier, a towering active volcano covered in snowfields and glaciers year-round. “Locating the missing crew members as quickly and safely as possible was a top priority,” Capt. David Ganci, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Electronic Attack Wing, said Thursday.

It is pertinent to note that training exercises on military aircraft can be dangerous, especially in mountainous regions. Sometimes these exercises can lead to accidents, injuries, or even death. In May of this year, an F-35 fighter jet en route from Texas to Edwards Air Force Base near Los Angeles crashed shortly after the pilot stopped to refuel in New Mexico.

At the time, the pilot was the only person on board and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Last year, eight U.S. Air Force service members were killed when a CV-22B Osprey plane they were flying in crashed off the coast of Japan.

With contributions from The Associated Press.