In a dramatic turn of events at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show in Boise, Idaho, on Sunday, attendees witnessed a midair collision involving two U.S. Navy jets. The incident unfolded at Mountain Home Air Force Base, where two Navy EA-18 Growler jets collided during their performance, leading to both aircraft being destroyed. Fortunately, the pilots managed to eject safely, a moment that was captured and later circulated on social media.
A spokesperson for the Navy confirmed that all four individuals aboard the jets were able to eject successfully and were reported to be in stable condition following medical evaluations. “All four of the air crew successfully ejected,” stated Commander Amelia Umayam, representing the Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The jets involved in the collision were part of the Electronic Attack Squadron based in Whidbey Island, Washington, as reported by ABC News. Commander Umayam noted that an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
In the aftermath of the collision, the air show was promptly canceled. The Mountain Home Police Department released a statement advising spectators to avoid traveling to the Air Force base, ensuring public safety and facilitating the ongoing investigation.
According to ABC News, the two jets were “assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron at Whidbey Island, Washington, Umayam said, adding that the cause of the crash is under investigation.”
“The air show was cancelled immediately after the crash, according to a post from the Mountain Home Police Department, which further advised spectators not to travel to the Air Force base,” added the outlet.
David Katz, who attended the air show with his family, told Fox News they witnessed the aircraft burn while in midair.
“We saw the smoke and fireball,” Katz said. “Apparently, they collided there. One of the planes was impacted and started burning in the air.”
Former Navy commander Phil Ehr called the safe ejection of two entangled vehicles a “miracle.”
“Four good parachutes popping out of those entangled aircraft is a miracle. That they all survived is another. Aviation combat training is inherently dangerous. Investigations will get to the bottom of this particular ‘Class A mishap,’ so other pilots learn and get stronger. In due course, ‘Approach,’ the Navy’s aviation safety magazine (available online), will cover the entire incident,” he posted on X.
“Crashes like this affects families, squadrons, bases and whole communities. These aviators are assigned to a Navy electronic attack squadron based at NAS Whidbey Island, a community that knows all too well tragedies of death and near death events,” he added.
