Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Idaho air show horror after 2 jets crash in front of frightened spectators
nypost.com ^ | May 17, 2026 | Anthony Blair

Posted on 05/18/2026 6:02:02 AM PDT by V_TWIN

Screenshot-2026-05-17-at-33740-PM

Dramatic video shows the two fighter jets colliding in midair before four parachutes are deployed.

Both aircraft appeared to be flying extremely close together when they collided and seemingly became entangled, hurtling toward the ground as sparks shot off.

The two jets, which appear to be Navy Super Hornet fighters, smashed into the runway with an enormous bang, producing a huge fireball and a cloud of smoke.

Organizers, the Mountain Home Gunfighters, confirmed that the base was on lockdown in a statement posted on social media.

This was the first time the air show had been held in eight years, after the last event in 2018 saw a hang glider pilot die in an accident, reported the Idaho Stateman.

In 2003, a pilot in the Thunderbirds squadron was forced to eject after his plane crashed during the event

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-26 last
To: V_TWIN

I used to crew chief there at Mt Home 366 TAC 43151 back when they were flying F-111A’s. The video of that crash is spectacular. Glad the pilots made it out in time. I’d like to say no blood no foul but those are expensive planes and the RCA should be interesting.


21 posted on 05/18/2026 8:28:47 AM PDT by Samurai_Jack (This is not about hypocrisy, this is about hierarchy!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: libertylover

It was before the crash - but only barely. He eject 0.8 seconds before impact.


22 posted on 05/18/2026 8:30:10 AM PDT by sipow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jerod

It wasn’t the same pilot.


23 posted on 05/18/2026 8:35:29 AM PDT by sipow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Samurai_Jack

I’m shocked that all four men got out. The top plane pancaked on top of the bottom one and they got locked together. How that did not smash the canopy and/or ejection seats is incredible. Yet all four somehow were able to eject in the scant milliseconds available.


24 posted on 05/18/2026 8:44:28 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: faucetman
> "ALL AIR SHOWS SHOULD BE BANNED!" <

I agree!
After the Ramstein Air Show disaster in '88, there should have never been another Air Show.
I was there, and to this day I still get horrible flashbacks.
25 posted on 05/18/2026 9:12:34 AM PDT by ANKE69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

At least the four aviators survived.
= = =

After watching the video of their ejections, I am surprised that no one ejected directly into one of the other planes.


26 posted on 05/18/2026 3:09:18 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-26 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson