Two US Navy Jets Collide During Idaho Air Show, All Four Crew Eject Safely

Two US Navy fighter jets collided mid-air during an air show in Idaho on Sunday, but all four crew members safely ejected and survived the incident, officials said.

The accident took place at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho during a public aerial demonstration. The aircraft involved were two EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based in Whidbey Island, Washington. The jets were performing formation flying as part of the air show when they made contact in the air and went down together.

According to a statement from Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, the aircraft collided during the performance, prompting both crews to eject. The four personnel aboard the jets successfully activated their ejection systems, and parachutes were seen opening in the sky as the aircraft fell toward the ground.

Base officials confirmed that all crew members were in stable condition after the incident. No injuries were reported among spectators or personnel on the ground, said Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped organise the event.

Following the crash, the air base was placed under an immediate lockdown , and the remaining air show events were cancelled as a precaution. Organisers said the decision was taken to ensure safety and allow emergency response teams to manage the situation.

Eyewitness videos shared on social media showed the two jets flying in close formation before appearing to make contact. The aircraft then spun while descending, with parachutes deploying as the pilots ejected. The planes subsequently crashed near the base, about 80 kilometres south of Boise, and were seen bursting into flames upon impact.

The EA-18G Growler is a specialised variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, designed for electronic warfare operations , including jamming enemy radar and communications systems. The aircraft were part of a scheduled demonstration during the popular air show, which showcases both modern military aviation and aerobatic performances.

Aviation safety experts noted that the fact both crews survived was significant, as mid-air collisions during formation flying often leave little time for ejection. However, they also highlighted the high-risk nature of air show performances, where precision flying leaves minimal margin for error.

The US Navy has launched a formal investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the collision. Officials said initial findings and pilot accounts will be crucial in reconstructing the sequence of events.

This year’s air show marked the return of the event after a gap since 2018. Previous incidents at US air shows have raised ongoing safety concerns, though fatal accidents have become less frequent in recent years due to improved protocols and training standards.