All four aviators escape unharmed as EA-18G Growlers crash near Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Two United States Navy fighter jets collided in mid-air on Sunday during a public air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho, sending both aircraft plummeting to the ground in a dramatic incident captured on video by spectators.
The crash occurred around 12:10 p.m. local time (MDT) on the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, as the two jets were performing an aerial demonstration. Officials confirmed that all four crew members successfully ejected from the aircraft before impact and parachuted to safety.
The aircraft involved were EA-18G Growlers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state. The Growler is an advanced electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, designed to disrupt enemy radar and communications.
US Navy Jets Collide Mid-Air During Idaho Air Show, All Crew Safe:
Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Amelia Umayam stated that the four aviators were evaluated by medical personnel and are in stable condition. No injuries were reported among spectators or ground personnel, though the base was placed on lockdown immediately following the incident as a precaution.
Two US Navy jets collided mid-air during an air show in Idaho, forcing the crew members to eject safely before the aircraft crashed. Multiple parachutes were seen deploying after the collision, and emergency teams responded quickly to the scene. Explosions were reported as the wreckage hit the ground approximately two miles from the base.
The air show was cancelled following the crash, and an investigation into the cause of the mid-air collision has been launched by naval authorities.
Growing concerns over air show safety:
Mid-air collisions during air demonstrations, though rare, have raised recurring questions about safety protocols at public military aviation events. The incident comes as the US military continues to showcase its capabilities amid heightened global tensions.