Two United States Navy fighter jets collided mid-air during an air show in Idaho on Sunday, but all four crew members safely ejected before the aircraft crashed, officials said.
The accident took place during the “Gunfighter Skies” air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base. According to reports, the two aircraft involved were EA-18G Growler fighter jets belonging to an electronic attack squadron based in Washington state.
A US Navy spokesperson said the jets were performing an aerial demonstration when they collided in the air. All four crew members managed to escape using parachutes and were reported to be in stable condition.
Following the crash, authorities immediately locked down the air base and canceled the remainder of the air show. Officials also confirmed that nobody on the ground was injured.
Videos shared on social media showed the two jets flying extremely close before crashing into each other mid-air. Seconds later, four parachutes could be seen opening in the sky as the aircraft fell to the ground and burst into flames.
Aviation experts said air show performances involving close flying formations are highly risky, and even a small mistake can lead to a serious accident.
The “Gunfighter Skies” event was being held at Mountain Home Air Force Base for the first time since 2018. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
