According to the US Navy, the incident occurred at around 12:10 p.m. MDT during the second day of the event in Idaho. The aircraft involved belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Two US Navy jets collide and explode midair during Idaho air show; all crew members eject safely
Panic unfolded in the skies over Idaho today after two US Navy fighter jets slammed into each other during a live aerial performance before plunging to the ground in a fiery crash witnessed by hundreds at an air show near Mountain Home Air Force Base. In a dramatic escape moments before impact, all four crew members aboard the aircraft managed to eject safely, avoiding a major military aviation tragedy.
The collision took place during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, where the two US Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft were participating in an aerial demonstration. Eyewitness videos circulating online captured the terrifying moment the jets appeared to collide midair before breaking apart and crashing to the ground, triggering explosions and sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.
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A statement issued by Mountain Home Gunfighters confirmed that an aircraft-related incident had occurred during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base. The organisers said emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene and an investigation had been launched into the cause of the crash.
All four crew members eject safely before crash
According to the US Navy, the incident occurred at around 12:10 p.m. MDT during the second day of the event in Idaho. The aircraft involved belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, said all four crew members successfully ejected from the aircraft before the crash and were later taken for medical evaluation.
Officials have not yet disclosed the condition of the air crew members, but authorities confirmed that all survived the midair collision.
The EA-18G Growler is a specialised electronic warfare aircraft developed from the F/A-18 Super Hornet platform and is used by the US Navy for airborne electronic attack operations and battlefield electronic support missions.
Further details regarding the cause of the incident are awaited.
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