Local Spokane news affiliate KREM has reported that the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is confirming that a
The local sheriff on the scene believes the three dead were all aboard the stricken jet.
The Spokesman-Review has confirmed with base officials that the plane in question is a Navy EA-6B Prowler, an electronic warfare jet — which notably seats up to four, one pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers (ECMO).
Business Insider contacted a spokesperson for the base who said that they can neither confirm nor deny that a military plane has crashed but that they are working on "an official story."
From the KREM report:
A volunteer firefighter in Davenport tells KREM.com the plane crashed between Harrington and Odessa, near the intersection of Coffee Pot Rd. and Duck Lake Lamona Rd. Witnesses told KREM 2 they heard a large plane followed by a loud "boom" seconds later, and saw a large cloud of smoke billowing from the ground.
BREAKING: Authorities confirm a military plane from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island crashed in Lincoln County. No word yet on injuries.
— KREM 2 NEWS (@krem2) March 11, 2013
Stan Dammel, manager of the Odessa Municipal Airport, said he heard on a scanner that authorities had found the plane, but not the pilot.
BREAKING UPDATE: Viewer: "Plane parts scattered through wheat field.It appeared to be a fighter jet."#WhidbeyCrash
— KREM 2 NEWS (@krem2) March 11, 2013
The official website of NAS Whidbey Island says it's the home of all Navy tactical electronic attack squadrons flying the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler. They also have four P-3 Orion Maritime Patrol squadrons and one Fleet Reconnaissance squadron flying the EP-3E Aries.
"There is no plane left." Stan Dammel ,Airport Manager ,Odessa municipal Airport , flew over wreck site 30 minutes ago. #WhidbeyCrash
— Jen York (@KREMjen) March 11, 2013
This post is being updated as more information comes in.
