Four U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers, assigned to the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron 137, fly past the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. (U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John A. Miller/U.

The two members onboard an EA-18G Growler that crashed east of Mount Rainier last week have been declared dead by the United States Navy. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,

Today, the US Navy announced the first Boeing EA-18G Growler aircrew loss due to an incident on a low-level flight route near Washington State’s Mount Rainier. The cause of the Growler aircrew loss is under investigation, as the priorities turn to supporting the next of kin and recovering the lost personnel and their EA-18G Growler.

The jet – an EA-18G Growler aircraft – was carrying two crew members when it went down during a routine training flight.

The two aviators who were missing after a Navy Growler crashed east of Mount Rainier last week have died, officials said Sunday.

Two Navy aviators who were flying an EA-18G Growler jet in Washington state when it crashed Tuesday were declared dead on Sunday, the service said in a statement.

Personnel on site are methodically searching an expansive area, evaluating debris and searching for information in the snow-covered, wilderness environment,” a press release from the Navy said. “Finding the aircrew continues to be our primary focus.

The methodical search for two missing aviators involves Army Special Forces from Joint Base Lewis McChord and is taking place in steep, snow-covered wilderness.

G Growler jet in Washington state when it crashed Tuesday were declared dead on Sunday, the service said in a statement.