MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — A dramatic mid-air collision between two U.S. Navy jets turned a scheduled air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base into chaos on Sunday, after both aircraft crashed following impact, triggering a massive fireball visible from the ground. Authorities confirmed all four crew members safely ejected.
The incident involved two Navy E/A-18G Growler aircraft assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129, based in Washington state. Moments after colliding in the sky, both jets went down outside the main spectator area.
What Happened During the Air Show
Witnesses reported seeing the jets make contact mid-air before breaking apart and spiraling downward. Seconds later, parachutes deployed as the pilots ejected, followed by a loud explosion as the aircraft hit the ground.
Emergency crews rushed to the crash site while spectators were instructed to remain in designated areas for safety and controlled evacuation.
Officials with the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base confirmed the crash and said an investigation is now underway.
“Emergency responders are on the scene, and more details will be released as they become available,” the base said in a statement.
Crew Status and Response
Naval Air Forces spokesperson Cmdr. Amelia Umayam confirmed that all four crew members successfully ejected and were immediately evaluated by medical personnel.
No fatalities have been reported at this time.
Air Show Canceled After Crash
Following the collision, organizers canceled the remainder of the event. Attendees were asked not to approach the base perimeter as emergency operations continued.
Local authorities emphasized that the crash site was located approximately two miles outside the main airfield, not directly on base grounds.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaos
Spectators described a sudden shift from excitement to shock as the jets collided overhead.
One attendee said they saw smoke and fire in the sky before realizing multiple parachutes had deployed.
“We saw the smoke and fireball. They just collided up there and one of the planes started burning mid-air,” one witness told reporters.
Aircraft Involved
The jets involved were U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growlers, specialized electronic warfare aircraft designed for jamming and suppression missions. Both aircraft were assigned to VAQ-129 out of Whidbey Island, Washington.
Investigation Underway
Military officials have launched a full investigation to determine what caused the collision during the demonstration flight.
At this stage, no mechanical failure or pilot error has been confirmed, and officials say it is too early to draw conclusions.
Key Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho |
| Aircraft | 2x U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growlers |
| Squadron | VAQ-129 (Whidbey Island, WA) |
| Injuries | None reported (4 pilots ejected safely) |
| Event Status | Air show canceled |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
