Midair Collision at Idaho Air Show Leads to Safe Ejections

On Sunday, two fighter jets collided during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The incident involved aircraft from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington. Fortunately, all four crew members managed to eject safely and are now reported to be in stable condition, as confirmed by U.S. Naval Air Forces officials.

Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, emphasized the importance of the safety of the crew, stating, “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” according to CBS affiliate KBOI.

Following the collision, the Mountain Home Air Force Base announced via social media that they had locked down the facility, and the remainder of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show events had been canceled. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, and an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Footage circulated online showed the jets becoming entangled midair, followed by the successful deployment of four parachutes. The planes ultimately crashed to the ground and exploded on impact. A witness, Shane Odgen, captured a still image from the video showing the moment the crew ejected.

The jets involved were EA-18G Growlers, with each unit valued at approximately $67 million, according to the U.S. Navy. Former pilot and Top Gun instructor Dave Berke mentioned to CBS News that the jets were flying at low altitudes and relatively slow speeds at the time of the crash. Berke noted, “The margin for error in this ejection was incredibly small,” highlighting the role of luck in the crew’s safe escape.

The air show, known for celebrating aviation history and showcasing modern military capabilities, included flying demonstrations and parachute jumps. The Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force’s flight demonstration squadron, were scheduled to headline the event on both days.