Growler, Super Hornet operations suspended after incident

COUPEVILLE — North Olympic Peninsula residents were given a reprieve from jet noise this weekend after all FA-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler operations were suspended Friday following injuries of an aircrew.

Both members of the aircrew of an EA-18G assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 132 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island sustained injuries during an unspecified incident on the flight deck at 11 a.m.

Navy officials did not say what happened.

Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld, a spokeswoman for Naval Air Forces, told the Navy Times on Saturday the aircrew consisted of the pilot and electronic warfare officer. Their conditions were unknown Saturday.

The two members were transported by a Navy Search and Rescue helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for evaluation, according to Navy officials.

The ground emergency involved the jet’s canopy, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident, said Mike Welding, a Navy spokesperson, via email.

As a result of the incident, the Navy temporarily suspended flight operations for all FA-18 and EA-18 as a safety precaution since they share common aircraft systems. Exceptions are being made on a case-by- case basis dependent upon operational requirements.

The operational pause will allow both Naval Air Systems Command and Boeing engineers time to investigate the incident, officials said.

Information about when the flight restrictions will be lifted was unavailable Saturday.

If they remain in effect throughout the week, the flight restrictions will delay planned carrier landing practice operations at an outlying field of the air station, which were scheduled to take place Monday through Thursday, Welding said.

________

Features Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigating woman’s death in Sequim

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into… Continue reading

Emily Randall.
Randall wins 6th Congressional District seat

Reproductive freedom, abortion access will be top priorities, she says

Three of four statewide initiatives failing

Three of the four statewide initiatives were failing in initial… Continue reading

Tharinger, Bernbaum, Chapman leading in 24th Legislative District

Incumbent Steve Tharinger and newcomer Adam Bernbaum were leading in… Continue reading

Dudley-Nollette wins Jefferson County commissioner seat

Heather Dudley-Nollette won the District 1 seat on the… Continue reading

Phyllis Bernard.
Bernard leads Simpson for Clallam PUD position

Incumbent Phyllis Bernard led Ken Simpson in a non-partisan… Continue reading

Kate Dexter.
Johnson lands third term as Clallam commissioner

Housing, childcare, new jobs upcoming priorities

Voters pass lid lift for Clallam Fire District 2

Current operations will be sustained, fire chief says

Port Angeles School District levy, bond measures passing

District to build high school, Franklin elementary

President-elect Donald Trump points to supporters in the audience at his election night gathering in West Palm Beach early Wednesday. Trump rode a promise to smash the American status quo to win the presidency for a second time on Wednesday, surviving a criminal conviction, indictments, an assassin’s bullet, accusations of authoritarianism and an unprecedented switch of his opponent to complete a remarkable return to power. (Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times)
UPDATE: Donald Trump returns to power, ushering in new era of uncertainty

Donald Trump rode a promise to smash the American status quo to… Continue reading

Ray Farrell, left, and Daniel Cain, center, prepare mail-in ballots for counting on Tuesday morning at the Clallam County courthouse in Port Angeles. The tabulating machine can be seen in the background with its operator. Election results, released after press time Tuesday, are online at www.peninsuladailynews.com. Full coverage will appear in Thursday’s print edition. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Results online

Ray Farrell, left, and Daniel Cain, center, prepare mail-in ballots for counting… Continue reading