An aerial display at Mountain Home Air Force Base in southern Idaho was called off on Sunday, May 17, following a mid-air collision between two Navy jets during a performance, leading to the safe ejection of four crew members, according to officials and base representatives.
The base confirmed to USA TODAY that two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers, part of Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington, crashed mid-flight during an aerial display at the air show. The incident took place around 12:10 p.m. local time and involved four crew members.
Four members of the aircrew safely ejected, and they are currently being assessed by medical staff. First responders have arrived at the location," the base stated in a release, noting that the incident is still under investigation.
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The event occurred on the second day of theGunfighters Skies Air Show, a free public event that included the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, as reported by thebaseThe accident occurred roughly two miles to the northwest of the Mountain Home Air Force Base.
The Idaho Statesmanreported that emergency crews arrived at a midair collision that occurred during a demonstration featuring two E/A-18G "Vikings" Growler demo team aircraft at the air show. Throughout the incident, an air show announcer informed the audience that all four Navy pilots were "located safely," as stated by the newspaper.
We had four reliable parachutes," an air show announcer stated, as reported by the Idaho Statesman. "The crew members managed to eject. They are one mile south of the smoke. The parachutes landed there.
Approximately 1:18 p.m. local time, theMountain Home Police Departmentnoted that the event was officially called off for the rest of the day. Law enforcement urged the public against traveling to or trying to enter the base "as a viewer, since the event will no longer occur."
Shortly before 3 p.m. local time, Mountain Home Air Force Base reported that the incident site was now secure, permitting event participants to leave the base. Earlier, the base had requested attendees to stay in the area so that first responders could handle the situation.
Videos depict the impact, with parachutes deploying in the air.
Images and videos posted on social media captured the two fighter jets colliding in mid-air, followed by a spin and subsequent crash to the ground, resulting in a massive fire and thick clouds of dark smoke rising into the atmosphere. Additionally, footage showed four parachutes deploying in the sky during the incident.
The event took place during awind advisoryissued for parts of southwest Idaho and northeast, as stated by the National Weather Service. The weather service noted clear visibility with wind gusts reaching as high as 29 mph at the time of the accident.
Regions with blowing dust and limited visibility will pose further dangers," stated the weather service in its warning. "Such strong winds can make driving challenging, particularly for vehicles with a higher profile. Exercise increased care.
The Idaho Statesman stated that no parachute performers were planned for May 17 because of the wind conditions.
What is the Air Show of Gunfighter Skies in Idaho?
In an April news release, the 366th Fighter Wing stated that the Gunfighter Skies Air Show is set for May 16 to May 17. The 366th Fighter Wing is located at Mountain Home Air Force Base, approximately 50 miles south of Boise, Idaho.
The news release stated that the event featured aerial acts, different static displays, and showcases centered around history along with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Gunfighters are honored to welcome the community into our facility and introduce our mission," Col. D. Ray Gunter, commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, stated in a release at that time. "This event gives a human element to the mission, highlighting the talented personnel and committed Airmen who enable airpower.
The Idaho Statesman and Task and Purpose, which focuses on military news, stated that the Gunfighter Skies Air Show was the initial one in eight years.
In 2018, a hang glider pilot lost their life in an incident at the event, as reported by the Idaho Statesman. In 2003, a Thunderbird aircraft crashed during the air show, although the pilot managed to escape, according to the newspaper.
This piece first was published on USA TODAY:Four crew members safely ejected after Navy jets crashed at an event in Idaho
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