A breathtaking video captured the dramatic moment when two Navy jets collided in midair, prompting the pilots to eject and parachute to safety.
The incident unfolded during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, causing an abrupt turn of events.
The alarming collision occurred approximately two miles northwest of the base, as reported by the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base to the Idaho Statesman.
Footage shared on social media depicted the dramatic scene where two Boeing EA-18G Growlers collided, spiraled midair, and then crashed to the ground.
Fortunately, the pilots managed to eject in time, seen descending safely with parachutes against a backdrop of rising black smoke.
Following the collision, Mountain Home Air Force Base went into lockdown shortly after 12:30 p.m., as spokesperson Antwain Hanks confirmed the incident to the press.
‘We had four good parachutes,’ an air show announcer said, per the outlet.
Rescue crews responded Sunday to a crash during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base
The pilots were forced to escape the crash by parachute and were seen descending as black smoke plumes rose from the ground
‘The crews were able to eject. They’re located one mile south of where the smoke is. The parachutes came down.’
‘Crash fire rescue and various other emergency services are on their way to the pilots and crew. There were four good parachutes,’ per a follow-up announcement.
Shortly after 1 pm, an announcer told attendees that all four Navy pilots were ‘found safe.’
‘That is always a positive in our world. If you are so inclined to take the time now to say a prayer,’ the announcement continued.
An Idaho Statesman reporter in attendance saw sparks in the sky, followed by smoke clouds and pilots descending by parachute.
Along with first responders, an emergency helicopter was dispatched to the scene, the outlet reported.
A witness who captured the harrowing incident on video spoke to NBC News about the chaos.
‘I heard someone next to me say “We are down,” I turned around and saw four parachutes coming down, then black smoke appeared,” the witness video told the outlet.
An Idaho Statesman reporter in attendance saw sparks in the sky, followed by smoke clouds
Along with first responders, an emergency helicopter was dispatched to the scene,
A witness said the current atmosphere is ‘very calm, controlled, and well managed,’ despite the collision
An Idaho Statesman reporter in attendance saw sparks in the sky, followed by smoke clouds and pilots descending by parachute
The base reportedly locked down shortly after 12.30pm
A video on social media showed the two aircraft colliding and tumbling midair before both jets plummeted to the ground
‘We are currently still on the airshow field and not allowed to leave at this time,’ they added.
The witness added that the atmosphere is ‘very calm, controlled, and well managed,’ despite the collision.
The last Gunfighter Skies airshow was in 2018, when a hang glider pilot tragically died in a horrific accident.
Another tragic incident occurred in 2003 when a Thunderbird plane crashed, though the pilot ejected safely.
Local police posted a statement on Facebook officially cancelling The Mountain Home Air Show.
‘Please do not travel to or attempt to access Mountain Home Air Force Base as a spectator, as the event will no longer be taking place.
‘We understand many were looking forward to this event and appreciate your understanding and cooperation,’ they added.
This is a breaking news story.
