Navy Jets Collide and Crash During Idaho Air Show, Crew Ejected Safely

Boise, Idaho – Four crew members safely ejected after two Navy jets collided during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The incident took place on Sunday and involved two EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington.

Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, stated the aircraft were performing a demonstration when the crash occurred. The crew members from both jets ejected safely, and the crash is under investigation. Base officials confirmed the crew members were in stable condition.

“Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” said Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, the organization that helped plan the air show.

The base declared an immediate lockdown following the crash, and the remaining air show events were canceled. Videos captured by spectators showed the aircraft plummeting to the ground while four parachutes opened in the sky near the base, located approximately 50 miles south of Boise.

The EA-18G Growler jets, costing around $67 million each, are equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems. Shane Ogden, a bystander recording the event, witnessed the jets collide and spin as the crew ejected, resulting in a fiery impact.

Organizers described the air show as a celebration of aviation history and modern military capabilities, featuring performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron. At the time of the crash, the National Weather Service reported good visibility and winds gusting up to 29 mph.

Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti noted the unique collision may have been why the crews had time to eject. He highlighted the rarity of successful ejections during midair collisions, attributing this success to the planes remaining intact for moments after the collision.

Aviation expert John Cox emphasized the demanding and precise nature of air show flying, praising the skill of the pilots involved.

This year’s Gunfighter Skies event was the first air show at the base since 2018. Past incidents have focused industry efforts on improving safety, reducing the average number of air show fatalities considerably.

“Safety wise we’ve enjoyed really an unprecedented term of few accidents,” commented International Council of Air Shows president John Cudahy.

Investigators expect insights from the surviving crew members regarding the crash. The Navy will lead the investigation, which may limit the public release of information compared to civilian incidents.

Iran war-related military activities have led to air show cancellations at some bases this year. The story was initially published on May 17, 2026, and corrected May 18, 2026, to clarify past air show crash details.