Midair Collision at Idaho Air Show Leaves Crew Safe

Updated on: May 18, 2026 / 7:25 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Two fighter jets collided during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday. All four crew members ejected and are in stable condition, according to U.S. Naval Air Forces officials.

Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, stated, “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” reported CBS affiliate KBOI.

The Mountain Home Air Force Base announced on social media that it was locked down following the incident at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show. The remainder of the show was canceled. Responders arrived at the scene, and an investigation is in progress.

Videos show the two planes entangled in midair before four parachutes appeared in the sky as the planes crashed and exploded upon impact. A still image by witness Shane Odgen showed the ejection of four aircrew members from the fighter jets post-collision.

The EA-18G Growlers involved in the collision belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 from Whidbey Island, Washington. Each aircraft costs approximately $67 million, according to the U.S. Navy.

The collision occurred at “very low altitude and relatively slow speeds,” according to former pilot and Top Gun instructor Dave Berke. “The margin for error in this ejection was incredibly small,” he noted. Berke suggested that once the investigation concludes, the aircrew might attribute their survival largely to luck.

This well-attended air show celebrates aviation history and highlights modern military capabilities, featuring flying demonstrations and parachute jumps. The U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds were set to headline the event both days.