Two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jets collided in mid-air over an Idaho air show on Sunday, sending all four crew members ejecting to safety before both aircraft crashed to the ground.
The incident occurred at the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, about two miles northwest of the installation. It was the second and final day of the event.
Witnesses watched as the jets made contact and appeared to briefly hold together before separating. Sparks and debris scattered through the air. Four parachutes opened as the crew ejected, and both aircraft fell and erupted in heavy black smoke upon impact.
Ruben Villalpando, who attended the show with his family, said the scene did not feel real at first. He recalled seeing a large burst of flame shoot up from the ground, followed by thick smoke. It was only at that moment that he realized both jets had gone down. His first thought, he said, was hoping the pilots had gotten out in time.
Officials confirm all four aircrew safe after crash
An event announcer confirmed four successful parachute deployments and asked the crowd to remain in place.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson said all four aircrew members ejected without issue and were being assessed by medical personnel. Mountain Home Air Force Base later confirmed the crew was in stable condition and thanked attendees for their cooperation during the emergency response.
A midair crash saw two fighter jets collide at an Idaho air show Sunday. All crew ejected safely. Officials are now investigating the cause. pic.twitter.com/Y3gsni9Yh7
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) May 18, 2026
Kim Sykes of Silver Wings of Idaho, one of the organising groups behind the show, said no one on the ground at the base was injured.
A fire broke out after the crash, and the base was placed under a brief lockdown. The remaining portions of the air show were cancelled. Emergency responders reached the scene promptly.
Investigators probe why fighter jets collided over Idaho
Investigators are now working to determine what caused the fighter jets to collide near the Idaho base. Officials said the inquiry will examine whether a mechanical fault, a physiological issue, or pilot error was responsible.
The two jets were assigned to an electronic attack squadron based in Washington state. The EA-18G Growler, a carrier-based electronic warfare variant of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, carries a unit cost of approximately $67 million.
Built by Boeing, the aircraft entered Navy service in late 2009, replacing the older EA-6B Prowler. Its electronic warfare systems are developed by Northrop Grumman.
The Gunfighter Skies air show had not been held since 2018, when a glider pilot was killed in a separate accident during the event.
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