Two EA-18G Growlers collide mid-air at Idaho air show, all 4 crew eject safely
Synopsis
Two US Navy EA-18G Growlers collided mid-air in front of thousands of spectators at Idaho's Gunfighter Skies Air Show — an event that had returned after eight years and two years of preparation. All four crew members ejected safely, but the dramatic crash forced a base lockdown and wiped out the rest of the day's programme. The cause remains under investigation.
Key Takeaways
Two EA-18G Growler jets collided mid-air at Mountain Home Air Force Base , Idaho , on 18 May at approximately 12:30 pm local time .
All four crew members aboard both aircraft ejected safely, confirmed by the US Navy .
The jets crashed nearly two miles outside the air base perimeter.
Mountain Home Air Force Base was placed under lockdown; all remaining Sunday events were cancelled.
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show had returned after an eight-year gap, with nearly two years of preparation by organisers.
The cause of the collision has not been determined; an investigation is under way.
Two EA-18G Growler fighter jets belonging to the US Navy collided mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, United States, shortly after 12:30 pm local time on Sunday, 18 May. All four crew members aboard the two aircraft successfully ejected before the jets crashed, according to confirmation from the US Navy and local media reports.
How the Collision Unfolded
The two Growlers were performing an aerial demonstration when they struck each other mid-flight, breaking apart on impact. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment of collision, showing the aircraft disintegrating before four parachutes were seen descending toward the ground. The jets reportedly came down nearly two miles outside the air base perimeter, with thick black smoke visible rising from the crash site.
Crew Status and Official Confirmation
An announcer at the event immediately informed the thousands of spectators present that all four crew members had ejected safely. The US Navy subsequently issued a formal confirmation that all four personnel had escaped the stricken aircraft successfully. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the crash site without delay.
Base Lockdown and Event Cancellations
Mountain Home Police confirmed that the air base was placed under lockdown following the incident as security and emergency teams coordinated their response. Authorities cancelled all remaining activities scheduled for Sunday as a precautionary measure, bringing the weekend programme to an abrupt halt.
Background: Air Show's Return After Eight Years
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show had made its return this weekend after a gap of eight years, drawing thousands of spectators eager to watch military aircraft displays, aerobatic manoeuvres, and aerial demonstrations by US armed forces personnel. According to reports, organisers had spent nearly two years preparing for the event's revival, with safety personnel, maintenance crews, and emergency response teams deployed across the base throughout the weekend.
Investigation Under Way
Officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the mid-air collision. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The fact that all four crew members ejected safely will be seen as a significant relief given the scale of the accident, but the loss of two advanced naval aircraft will prompt scrutiny of the conditions and protocols governing such demonstrations. Further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.
Point of View
But it does not insulate the US Navy from hard questions. EA-18G Growlers are among the most sophisticated electronic warfare aircraft in the American arsenal, and losing two in a peacetime demonstration is a significant material and reputational cost. Air shows involving live military hardware carry inherent risk — a risk that organisers, who spent two years reviving this event after an eight-year hiatus, will now have to account for publicly. The investigation's findings on separation protocols and display choreography will matter well beyond Idaho.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show in Idaho?
Two US Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jets collided mid-air during an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on 18 May. All four crew members aboard the two aircraft ejected safely before the jets crashed approximately two miles outside the base.
Did any crew members die in the Idaho air show collision?
No fatalities have been reported. All four crew members aboard the two EA-18G Growlers successfully ejected before the aircraft went down, according to confirmation from the US Navy and an announcer at the event.
What type of aircraft were involved in the mid-air collision?
The two aircraft involved were EA-18G Growlers, electronic warfare jets operated by the US Navy. They were performing as part of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show aerial demonstration programme when the collision occurred.
Why was Mountain Home Air Force Base placed under lockdown?
Mountain Home Police confirmed the base was locked down immediately after the collision as a precautionary measure to allow emergency and security teams to respond to the crash site and manage the large crowd of spectators present at the air show.
What is the Gunfighter Skies Air Show?
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show is a large-scale military air show hosted at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The 2025 edition marked its return after an eight-year gap; organisers had reportedly spent nearly two years preparing for the revival event.
