Two Navy EA-18 Growler fighter jets collided midair during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, May 18.

All four crew members ejected safely from the aircraft, according to US media reports. The crash caused an explosion and forced a lockdown of the base.

What happened at the Idaho air show midair collision?

Two EA-18G Growler jets collided during a demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base and crashed to the ground. All four crew members ejected before impact and parachuted to safety. The base confirmed the aircrew were in stable condition following the incident.

Where did the jets crash?

The Gunfighter Skies Air Show posted a statement on its website confirming “an aircraft incident has occurred at Mountain Home Air Force Base,” approximately two miles northwest of the base.

Emergency responders were on the scene and an investigation was launched. The base said more details would be released as they became available.

Video shared on social media showed the two jets colliding and tumbling through the air before hitting the ground. The crash produced a large explosion and a thick plume of black smoke. Four parachutes could be seen drifting downward as the aircraft fell.

What type of aircraft were involved?

Commander Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for the Naval Air Forces US Pacific Fleet, told KOMO that the EA-18G Growler jets involved are based at Whidbey Island, Washington. The EA-18G is a carrier-based electronic attack aircraft operated by the US Navy. CBS News local affiliate KOMO first reported that all four crew members ejected safely.

What is the Gunfighter Skies Air Show?

The Gunfighter Skies Air Show is an event where military aircraft perform demonstrations and flyovers for a public audience. According to the Idaho Statesman, this was the first such event at Mountain Home since 2018, when a hang glider pilot died in an accident.

NBC News reported the collision resulted in the air show’s cancellation and a base lockdown as emergency responders managed the scene. An attempt to contact the base for comment was not immediately successful.