In a dramatic video capturing a heart-pounding moment, two Navy jets collided in midair during an airshow, necessitating the pilots’ swift ejection and parachute deployment.
Before a shocked audience, the pilots executed an emergency escape as their aircraft collided at the Gunfighter Skies event on Sunday.
This terrifying collision unfolded just two miles northwest of Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Footage circulating on social media depicts the collision of two Boeing EA-18G Growlers, which spiraled downwards after the impact, before crashing to the ground.
Fortunately, the pilots managed to eject safely, seen descending with their parachutes against a backdrop of rising black smoke.
The base reportedly locked down shortly after 12.30pm, as Mountain Home Air Force base spokesperson Antwain Hanks confirmed the collision to the outlet.
‘We had four good parachutes,’ an air show announcer told Idaho Statesman.
‘The crews were able to eject. They’re located one mile south of where the smoke is. The parachutes came down.
The pilots were able to eject safely and managed to survive the impact
A witness said the current atmosphere is ‘very calm, controlled, and well managed,’ despite the collision
A video on social media showed two Boeing EA-18G Growlers colliding and tumbling midair before both jets plummeted to the ground
‘Crash fire rescue and various other emergency services are on their way to the pilots and crew. There were four good parachutes,’ per a follow-up announcement.
Shortly after 1 pm an announcer told attendees that all four Navy pilots were ‘found safe.’
‘That is always a positive in our world. If you are so inclined to take the time now to say a prayer,’ the announcement continued.
An Idaho Statesman reporter in attendance reported sparks in the sky, followed by smoke clouds and pilots descending by parachute.
Along with first responders, an emergency helicopter was dispatched to the scene, the outlet reported.
A witness who captured the harrowing incident on video spoke to NBC News about the chaos.
‘I heard someone next to me say “We are down,” I turned around and saw four parachutes coming down, then black smoke appeared,” the witness video told the outlet.
‘We are currently still on the airshow field and not allowed to leave at this time,’ they added.
They added that the atmosphere is ‘very calm, controlled, and well managed,’ despite the collision.
An Idaho Statesman reporter in attendance saw sparks in the sky, followed by smoke clouds
Along with first responders, an emergency helicopter was dispatched to the scene
The pilots managed to evacuate safely and were later found in a nearby field
The base reportedly locked down shortly after 12.30pm
The last Gunfighter Skies airshow was in 2018, when a hang glider pilot tragically died in a horrific accident.
Another tragic incident occurred in 2003 when a Thunderbird plane crashed, though the pilot ejected safely.
Local police posted a statement on Facebook officially cancelling The Mountain Home Air Show.
‘Please do not travel to or attempt to access Mountain Home Air Force Base as a spectator, as the event will no longer be taking place.
‘We understand many were looking forward to this event and appreciate your understanding and cooperation,’ they added.
Rescue crews responded Sunday to a crash during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base
The Daily Mail reached out to the US Air Force for comment and the Mountain Home Police had no further updates.
The air show, free to attend, features aerial demonstrations, static aircraft displays, family activities, and a show-stopping performance by the Air Force Thunderbirds, per its website.
The US Air Force Thunderbirds are the Air Force’s official demonstration squadron, performing precision aerial displays worldwide.