Lt. Rhiannon Ross Wiki – Lt. Rhiannon Ross Biography
Lt. Rhiannon Ross Navy instructor pilot was on a routine training flight out of Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida, with her student, Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett, 24, when their Navy T-6B Texan II trainer aircraft crashed in a residential area of Foley, Alabama, according to Navy officials.
Ross was from Wixom, Michigan. Garrett was from Weddington, North Carolina.
The Navy Times reported Ens. Garrett graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2019 and majored in marine and environmental sciences. Garrett was a regimental activities officer at the academy and competed as a middle-distance runner in track and field.
Lt. Ross was a member of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor’s Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps. Ross served three years with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 out of Norfolk, Virginia, before joining the Florida based Training Squadron Two in 2018. She was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
Lt. Rhiannon Ross Age
Lt. Rhiannon Ross was 30 years old.
Cause of Death
U.S. Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross, of Wixom, Michigan, and U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett, of Weddington, North Carolina, were identified as the service members who died in the crash.
“Heartbreaking doesn’t really quite capture the emotion behind it. To know that those officers, friends, and shipmates of ours aren’t going to be there when we look for them on Monday is very difficult. They’ll be dearly missed,” said Commander Zachary Harrell, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs Officer. “Their spirit, friendship, and devotion to their country will not be forgotten.”
The Navy T-6B Texan II aircraft can be controlled from either of its two seats, both of which are capable of ejecting in emergencies. Officials have not confirmed the cause of Friday’s crash, but say the incident is being investigated.
“Local and Navy emergency personnel responded to the scene to secure the area and ensure the safety of the local community,” the Navy said in a statement Sunday, adding that it is working with local authorities in the investigation.
Prior to Friday’s crash, it had been more than a year since the Navy’s last deadly aircraft incident, Naval Air Forces spokesman Cmdr. Zach Harrell told ABC News.
Investigation Report
Crash investigators said the turboprop plane was on a routine training flight and took off from Whiting Field in Milton.
Lt. Ross was the flight instructor and Ensign Garrett was a student pilot. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.
The Navy investigation team is asking anyone with pictures, videos, even anyone who comes across debris from the aircraft to leave it undisturbed and call Lieutenant Freeman at (864) 608-0729.