Two fighter jets collided midair during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, resulting in a crash on Sunday. All four crew members successfully ejected and are reported to be in stable condition, as confirmed by U.S. Naval Air Forces officials.
Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, expressed relief, stating, “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” as reported by CBS affiliate KBOI.
The collision required the base to enter lockdown, canceling the remainder of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show. Responders were present on the scene, and an investigation is underway.
Footage shared online depicted the two aircraft tangling in the air before four parachutes opened, allowing the crew to escape as the jets plunged to the ground in a fiery explosion. An image from a video captured by witness Shane Odgen shows the crew members ejecting from the planes following the collision.
The EA-18G Growlers involved in the incident were from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington. Each of these aircraft carries a price tag of approximately $67 million, as noted by the U.S. Navy.
According to former pilot and Top Gun instructor Dave Berke, the jets were flying at a low altitude and slow speed when the mishap occurred. Berke remarked, “The margin for error in this ejection was incredibly small,” and emphasized the role of luck in the survival of the crew.
The air show, known for celebrating aviation history and modern military capabilities, featured flying demonstrations and parachute jumps. The U.S. Air Force’s flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, were the scheduled headliners for the event.
This report includes contributions from Eleanor Watson.