A dramatic incident at a military air show in the U.S. state of Idaho led to the abrupt cancellation of the event after two Navy fighter jets collided midair during a demonstration flight. All four crew members safely ejected and were later evaluated by medical teams, officials confirmed.
The accident occurred on Sunday during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, roughly two miles northwest of the installation, according to base authorities.
Jets Collide During Aerial Demonstration
Officials said the two aircraft involved were EA-18G Growler jets assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129. The aircraft were performing a scheduled aerial display when they collided at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time.
The jets were operating under the supervision of naval aviation units linked to U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet aviation forces. Following the impact, both aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent before crashing.
Video shared on social media showed the moment of collision followed by smoke trails as the aircraft spiraled toward the ground. Witnesses reported seeing four parachutes deploying shortly after impact, confirming that all aviators successfully ejected.
Emergency Response and Base Lockdown
The air base quickly initiated emergency procedures, placing the installation under lockdown shortly after the incident. Security personnel and first responders moved to secure the crash area while firefighting and medical teams responded.
Guests attending the air show were instructed to remain in designated safe areas for several hours to allow emergency crews to operate without obstruction. The lockdown was lifted later in the afternoon, and attendees were gradually cleared from the base.
A spokesperson for naval aviation confirmed that all four crew members were in stable condition after ejection and were receiving medical evaluations.
Air Show Canceled as Investigation Begins
Following the crash, officials from the 366th Fighter Wing announced the cancellation of the remainder of the air show. The unit expressed relief that no fatalities occurred and praised emergency responders for their swift action.
Local authorities also urged the public to avoid traveling to the base as emergency operations continued. An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the midair collision.
A spokesperson from the base emphasized that safety remains the top priority and thanked visitors for their cooperation during the emergency response.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaos and Calm Response
Spectators described a sudden and alarming scene as the jets collided during the performance. Several attendees reported seeing parachutes descending moments after the impact, followed by thick smoke rising from the crash site.
Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, witnesses noted that the situation at the venue remained orderly, with military personnel guiding guests calmly throughout the evacuation process.
