Mid-Air Collision at Idaho Air Show Leaves Two US Navy Jets Destroyed
Two US Navy fighter jets collided in mid-air during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, sending both aircraft crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion in front of stunned spectators. According to initial reports, all four crew members successfully ejected before impact and survived the incident.
The collision occurred during the “Gunfighter Skies” air show, held at Mountain Home Air Force Base, approximately 50 miles southeast of Boise. Witness videos circulating online captured the dramatic moment the two aircraft made contact during an aerial demonstration before spiralling downward and erupting into flames upon impact.
The aircraft involved were identified as US Navy EA-18G Growlers, a specialised electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The jets reportedly belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based at Whidbey Island, Washington.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene immediately after the crash, while the base was temporarily placed on lockdown. Organisers later cancelled the remainder of the air show as investigators began examining the cause of the collision. Authorities have not yet confirmed what led to the accident, though aviation analysts interviewed by US media suggested pilot error could be one possible factor.
Remarkably, all four crew members managed to eject safely moments before the aircraft hit the ground. Videos from the scene showed four parachutes descending shortly after the collision, confirming that the crews had escaped in time. Officials later stated that all personnel were alive and had been transported for medical evaluation.
The incident marks one of the most serious air show accidents in the United States in recent years and has reignited concerns over the risks involved in complex aerial demonstrations. The Gunfighter Skies event was the first major air show hosted at Mountain Home Air Force Base since 2018.
Videos of the collision have rapidly spread across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing shock that all four crew members survived the catastrophic impact.