Fighter Jet Collision at Air Show in Idaho: Crew Safely Ejects

Two fighter jets collided in midair during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The incident occurred on Sunday and saw all four crew members ejecting safely. They have been reported to be in stable condition, according to officials from the U.S. Naval Air Forces.

Kim Sykes, the marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, commented on the situation, stating, “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing.” The air show was organized with the support of Silver Wings of Idaho, and CBS affiliate KBOI covered the event.

The Mountain Home Air Force Base announced via social media that it had been locked down after the collision during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show. As a result, the remainder of the show was canceled, and responders were on site as an investigation commenced.

Online videos captured the dramatic moments when the jets became entangled in midair. Following this, four parachutes deployed as the aircrafts descended, ultimately exploding upon impact with the ground. Witness Shane Odgen recorded a video showing the aircrew ejecting from the jets post-collision.

The fighter jets involved were EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based in Whidbey Island, Washington. The U.S. Navy has indicated that each aircraft is valued at approximately $67 million.

Former pilot and Top Gun instructor Dave Berke provided insight, mentioning that the jets were flying at “very low altitude and relatively slow speeds” when the collision took place. He emphasized the small margin for error in the ejection, stating, “I think when this investigation is over, those four air crew are going to tell you there was a lot of luck involved that they all got to walk away from this.”

The air show is well-known for celebrating aviation’s history and showcasing contemporary military capabilities. It features flying demonstrations and parachute jumps as highlights. The U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds were scheduled to headline the show both days.

Eleanor Watson contributed additional details to this report.