On Sunday, during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base, a midair collision occurred between two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets. Fortunately, all four crew members aboard were able to eject safely, as confirmed by the U.S. Navy to Fox News Digital.
Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, serving as spokesperson for Naval Air Forces of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, disclosed that these aircraft were part of the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington.
The collision took place around 12:10 p.m. MDT, during an aerial performance at the air show, according to Umayam. Despite the dramatic incident, all involved crew members were able to eject successfully and were subsequently assessed by medical teams on site.
Witnesses reported seeing a column of black smoke billowing near the base following the crash, which kept first responders actively engaged at the scene. The dramatic sight underscored the intensity of the situation, but quick actions ensured that no lives were lost in this mishap.
A plume of black smoke rises near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho after two jets crashed during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show on Sunday. (Michael Katz)
Dramatic video posted to social media appears to show two jets colliding midair before four parachutes deploy. The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.
In a statement posted to Facebook earlier in the day, Mountain Home Gunfighters said “an aircraft incident has occurred at Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show two miles northwest of the base.”Â
“Emergency responders are on the scene, an investigation is underway and more details will be released as they become available,” the statement added.
A plume of smoke rises near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho after two Navy EA-18G Growlers reportedly crashed during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show on Sunday. (Michael Katz)
David Katz, who attended the air show with his family, told Fox News Digital he witnessed what appeared to be the two aircraft colliding before one erupted into flames.
“We saw the smoke and fireball,” Katz said. “Apparently they collided there. One of the planes was impacted and started burning in the air.”
Katz said he was in a vehicle with his two sons when they saw four parachutes deploy from the aircraft – two from each plane.
Two jets crashed midair during the airshow in Idaho. (Michael Katz)
He added that bystanders were trying to determine whether the pilots made it out safely as emergency crews rushed toward the crash site.
“Fire crews are flying by us right now,” Katz told Fox News Digital.
KTVB reported that witnesses described seeing two jets crash during the show and shared videos showing a large plume of black smoke rising near the base. The station also reported that law enforcement and emergency crews responded to the scene while officials worked to gather more information.
The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft in the F/A-18 Super Hornet family designed to conduct airborne electronic attack missions for the Navy.Â