Navy jet crash kills 3

SPOKANE, Wash. -- An aircraft from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island crashed Monday in eastern Washington, and all three crew members on board died, Navy authorities said.

The E/A-6B Prowler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129, was reported to have crashed about 8:45 a.m. The Navy informed Congress that the wingman of the crashed plane reported that no parachutes were deployed.

"First responders are on the scene and have reported finding partial remains of the mishap aircrew," the Navy told Congress. "All three onboard are presumed dead." Their identities were not immediately available. The Prowler was "engaged in a low-level navigation training mission," the Navy said.

The crash occurred in a rural area between the towns of Harrington and Odessa, about 50 miles west of Spokane. Aerial views of the site showed a large crater in a farm field, surrounded by blackened vegetation. Much of the plane appeared to have disintegrated.

NAS Whidbey Island is home to the U.S. Navy's tactical electronic warfare squadrons, and crews regularly fly across eastern Washington for exercises.

The Prowler specializes in electronic warfare such as jamming enemy radar. It can also be equipped with missiles.

"This tragic crash is a painful reminder of the dangerous work that members of the armed services perform every day in service to our nation," said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), who represents the area. -- AP