BOISE, May 18: A dramatic mid air collision involving two US Navy fighter jets during an air show in Idaho ended without fatalities after all four crew members safely ejected moments before the aircraft crashed near Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday.
The incident occurred during the popular Gunfighter Skies air show in western Idaho, where two EA-18G Growler aircraft from the US Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 129 were performing an aerial demonstration before spectators.
According to officials from the US Pacific Fleet, the aircraft collided while conducting formation manoeuvres in the sky. Emergency systems activated immediately, allowing both crews to eject safely before the jets plunged to the ground and burst into flames.
Base authorities confirmed that the four aviators were rescued in stable condition and no injuries were reported among spectators or military personnel on the ground.
Air Show Ends Abruptly After Collision
Following the crash, Mountain Home Air Force Base was placed under temporary lockdown as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Organisers cancelled the remaining air show activities soon afterward.
Witness videos circulating online captured the terrifying moments as the aircraft appeared to touch mid-air before spiralling downward together. Seconds later, four parachutes opened in the sky while the fighter jets crashed near the base, located around 80 kilometres south of Boise.
Spectators at the event described the atmosphere as chaotic but relieved after realising the pilots had escaped safely.
Kim Sykes, a representative associated with the event planning team, said the successful ejection of all crew members was the most important outcome of the incident.
Witnesses Describe Fiery Crash
Several attendees recorded the demonstration as the two Navy jets flew in close formation. One spectator, Shane Ogden, said he initially believed the pilots were executing a planned manoeuvre before the aircraft suddenly struck one another.
Footage showed the planes descending while still locked together before exploding into a massive fireball on impact. Meanwhile, the aircrew drifted safely toward the ground under parachutes nearby.
Emergency teams secured the crash site quickly, preventing further danger to spectators attending the event.
Advanced Navy Aircraft Involved
The jets involved were EA-18G Growlers, specialised electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/A-18 Super Hornet platform. The aircraft are equipped with advanced systems used to disrupt enemy radar and communications during combat operations.
The squadron involved in the demonstration operates from Whidbey Island in Washington state and regularly participates in training exercises and public aviation events.
Military officials stated that an investigation into the cause of the collision has already begun.
Experts Highlight Difficulty of Formation Flying
Aviation safety analysts noted that surviving a mid-air collision involving military jets is extremely rare. Experts said the unique manner in which the aircraft impacted may have given the crews enough time to eject safely.
Former aviation investigator Jeff Guzzetti described the survival of all four crew members as remarkable, explaining that such accidents often leave little opportunity for escape.
He suggested the collision may have resulted from a formation flying error rather than a technical malfunction. According to experts, precise coordination is required when military aircraft perform close aerial manoeuvres during demonstrations.
Another aviation safety specialist, John Cox, explained that air show flying demands exceptional precision because pilots operate with very limited margins for error.
Weather Conditions Were Clear
The National Weather Service reported favourable flying conditions at the time of the crash, with clear visibility and moderate wind gusts reaching nearly 47 kilometres per hour.
Investigators are expected to examine flight data, pilot communication, aircraft maintenance records and eyewitness videos to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the collision.
Because the crews survived, investigators may gain critical firsthand accounts that could accelerate the inquiry.
History of Air Show Accidents in the US
The Gunfighter Skies event marked the return of large-scale air shows at Mountain Home Air Force Base after several years. The base previously witnessed a fatal accident in 2018 involving a hang glider pilot during a performance.
The United States has experienced multiple air show accidents over the decades, although aviation authorities say safety standards have improved significantly in recent years.
Industry data indicates the number of fatal incidents at American air shows has steadily declined due to stricter safety protocols, enhanced pilot training and improved operational procedures.
A major tragedy occurred in 2022 when two vintage military aircraft collided during an air show in Dallas, killing six people. However, safety officials noted there were no air show fatalities reported in the United States during 2023 or 2025.
Military Commitments Affect Air Show Calendar
Officials also acknowledged that several military air shows scheduled this year have faced cancellations because of operational demands linked to ongoing tensions involving Iran and regional security missions.
Despite the Idaho crash, organisers and aviation experts continue to stress that modern military air demonstrations maintain extensive safety measures designed to protect both pilots and the public.
The Navy led investigation into Sunday’s collision is expected to continue over the coming weeks.