Four crew members are safe after two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided and crashed during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho on Sunday. The collision occurred during an aerial demonstration by the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 from Whidbey Island, Washington.
Commander Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, confirmed that all four crew members ejected safely and were being evaluated by medical personnel. The crash is under investigation.
No injuries were reported on the ground, according to Kim Sykes, marketing director for Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped organise the event. The Mountain Home Air Force Base was locked down following the incident, with responders on the scene.
Witness Shane Ogden captured video showing the two aircraft appearing to make contact before spinning in tandem. Crew members ejected, and their parachutes opened as the planes fell together, exploding on impact. Ogden said he left the area to avoid interfering with emergency responders.
The Gunfighter Skies air show was cancelled, and the Mountain Home Police Department advised against travel to the area. The event was the first at the base since 2018, when a hang glider died in a crash during a performance.
