All four crew members survived Sunday’s dramatic Idaho air show collision after two US Navy jets crashed into each other during an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
The Navy confirmed every aviator ejected safely and was being evaluated by medical personnel. No spectators or base personnel were reported hurt.
What Happened The Collision
The Idaho air show collision occurred at approximately 12:10 pm Mountain Time on May 17, during the annual Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base — located around 50 miles south of Boise.
Two EA-18G Growler jets were performing a close-formation aerial demonstration when they made contact in midair.
Video captured by bystanders shows the two aircraft appearing to lock together momentarily before both pitched upward, stalled, and cartwheeled to the ground in a fireball.
The Ejection Five Seconds That Saved Four Lives
The most remarkable element of the fighter jet collision was the speed of the crew’s response.
Both crews ejected in under five seconds of the initial collision. Four parachutes were visibly deployed, drifting downward near the crash site as the locked-together aircraft fell and exploded on the ground below.
An air show announcer confirmed all four crew members had ejected safely as spectators watched in shock from the stands.
Navy Confirms All Four Safe
“All four of the air crew successfully ejected,” said Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet.
She confirmed all four aviators were being evaluated by medical personnel following the US Navy air show accident. No further details on their condition were released immediately, but no serious injuries were reported at the time of the Navy’s initial statement.
The Aircraft EA-18G Growler
The two jets involved were EA-18G Growlers advanced electronic attack aircraft used by the US Navy for airborne electronic warfare.
Both were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State. The squadron operates as the Navy’s EA-18G Growler Demonstration Team, performing at air shows across the country throughout the year.
Mountain Home Air Force Base Locked Down
Following the aviation incident USA, Mountain Home Air Force Base immediately went into lockdown.
The air show was cancelled for the remainder of the day. Base personnel and first responders moved quickly to the crash site while the surrounding area was secured. Col. David R. Gunter, wing commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, said he was “incredibly thankful that everyone involved in today’s incident is safe.”
Witnesses Describe the Moment
Spectator Shane Ogden, who was filming the jets as they performed, captured the collision on video.
His footage shows the two Growlers flying close together before contact, spinning in tandem as both crews ejected and parachutes opened simultaneously. The footage spread rapidly across social media within minutes of the military aircraft crash news breaking online.
Cause Under Investigation
The exact cause of the Idaho air show collision is now under formal investigation.
Investigators are expected to benefit significantly from the fact that both crews survived and can provide firsthand accounts of what happened in the cockpit before and during the collision. Drone footage, bystander video, and flight data from both aircraft will also form part of the inquiry.
Air Shows and the Iran War Context
The Iran war has led to the cancellation of approximately ten air shows this year at bases whose units are flying missions related to the ongoing conflict.
Mountain Home Air Force Base’s Gunfighter Skies event had proceeded as planned before Sunday’s incident. The pilot ejection safety outcome all four crew members surviving a midair collision has been widely described as a remarkable result given the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Aircraft Were Involved in the Idaho Air Show Collision?
The two aircraft involved in the Idaho air show collision were EA-18G Growlers electronic attack jets assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, designed for airborne electronic warfare. It carries a two-person crew a pilot and a weapons systems officer which is why the collision involved four crew members across two aircraft.
Were There Any Casualties or Injuries?
No fatalities were reported. All four crew members from both jets successfully ejected following the fighter jet collision and parachuted safely to the ground.
The Navy confirmed all four were being evaluated by medical personnel. No spectators, ground crew, or base personnel were reported injured. The air show organiser confirmed: “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Where and When Did the Idaho Air Show Collision Occur?
The aviation incident USA took place on Sunday May 17, 2026, at approximately 12:10 pm Mountain Time at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho roughly 50 miles south of Boise.
The crash occurred during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, an annual event hosted by the 366th Fighter Wing. The base was immediately locked down following the incident and the air show was cancelled for the rest of the day.
