Military Plane Crashes in Washington State

A picture of the crash site taken by Stan Dammel, Odessa Airport Manager, via KREM-TV.

Local news station KREM-TV in Spokane, Washington, is reporting that a military aircraft has crashed in the state and that sources are telling the outlet three people have died.

The outlet says Navy authorities have confirmed the crash and that the Harrington City Clerk says their office has received an email saying three people were killed.

“A witness tells KREM 2 News he heard an ‘incredble boom’ at about 8:30 Monday morning and saw a large plume of smoke,” the website reports. “Joel Cronrath says he went toward the scene and saw wreckage from the crash.  Cronrath says he drives a bus, and often sees military fighter jets training in the area, performing difficult maneuvers.  Cronrath says information he gathered from authorities on the scene is that three people died in the crash.”

U.S. Navy Lt. Kakiel told the station that the plane was a Navy EA-6B Prowler that crashed in a field around 8:30 a.m. Monday. The plane was from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, which is located 90 miles north of Seattle.

“NAS Whidbey Island is the premier naval aviation installation in the Pacific Northwest and home of all Navy tactical electronic attack squadrons flying the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler,” the station’s website says. “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.”

This is a breaking story. Updates will be added.