Idaho Air Show Fighter Jet Crash: Smoke rises after fighter jet crash at Idaho Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base. (Photo: AP)
Fighter Jet Crash: Four crew members ejected safely after two US Navy jets collided during an air show in Idaho, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The aircraft, EA-18G Growlers from an electronic attack squadron based in Washington state, crashed on Sunday while performing an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
A US Navy spokesperson said the two jets were taking part in the display when the collision happened. “The four crew members from both jets safely ejected, and the crash is under investigation,” she said, according to AP. Base officials later said the crew were in stable condition.
No one on the ground was injured. “Everyone is safe, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Kim Sykes, an organiser linked to the event, told AP.
Videos shared online showed the two aircraft coming close together before appearing to make contact and falling towards the ground. Four parachutes were seen opening as the crew escaped. The jets then crashed and exploded on impact.
All four air crew members "successfully ejected" after two jets crashed in midair during an air show in Idaho, the Navy said in a statement Sunday, adding that the crew members were being "evaluated by medical personnel." https://t.co/XwGsSPvpdEpic.twitter.com/vWkAt2oSvF
The air base said it was locked down after the crash and the rest of the show was cancelled.
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An eyewitness who filmed the incident said he initially thought the planes would separate. “I was just filming thinking they were going to split apart,” he told AP, adding that he left soon after to avoid getting in the way of emergency services.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said it was unusual for crews to eject in a mid-air collision. “It’s really striking to see,” he told AP. He said the way the aircraft appeared to stay together briefly may have given the crew time to escape. He added, “It appears to be a pilot issue to me… rendezvousing with another aeroplane in formation flight is challenging.”
Another expert, John Cox, said such displays allow little room for error. “Air show flying is demanding. It has very little tolerance,” he told AP, adding he was glad the crew survived.
The event, known as Gunfighter Skies, was being held for the first time at the base since 2018. AP reported that safety at US air shows has improved in recent years, with fewer fatal incidents.
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Investigators are expected to examine the cause of the crash, with input from the surviving crew.
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Idaho Air Show Fighter Jet Crash: Smoke rises after fighter jet crash at Idaho Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base. (Photo: AP) 
