Two EA-18 fighter jets collide at Mountain Home airshow, pilots ejected safely

All four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided and crashed on Sunday during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, officials said.

The collision involved two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington, said Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The aircraft were performing an aerial demonstration when the crash happened, Umayam said in a statement. She said the four crew members from both jets safely ejected and were being evaluated by medical personnel.

Nobody at the military base was hurt, said Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped to plan the air show.

The base said in a social media post that it was locked down following the incident.

Videos posted online by spectators showed four parachutes opening in the sky as the aircraft plummeted to the ground near the base about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boise.

Shane Odgen said he was filming the two jets as they came close together. A video he captured shows the two aircraft appear to make contact and then spin in tandem as the crew members eject and their parachutes open.

The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drop to the ground nearby.

"I was just filming, thinking they were going to split apart, and that happened, and I filmed the rest," Ogden said in a text message.

He said he left soon after the crash because he did not want to get in the way of emergency responders.

Organizers said the popular air show, which includes flying demonstrations and parachute jumps, is a celebration of aviation history and a showcase of modern military capabilities.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron headlined the show both days.

The National Weather Service reported good visibility and winds gusting up to 29 mph around the time of the crash.

This year's Gunfighter Skies event was the first at the base since 2018, when a hang glider died in a crash during an air show performance.

In 2003, a Thunderbirds aircraft crashed while attempting a maneuver. The pilot, who was not hurt, was able to steer the plane away from the crowd and eject less than a second before it hit the ground.

The air show industry has been working to improve safety for years at the roughly 200 events held each year in the U.S.

The last fatal crash at an air show came in 2022 when two vintage military planes collided at an event in Dallas and killed six people.

John Cudahy, president and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows, said that there used to be an average of about two deaths a year at a U.S. air show. But over the past decade, the average has been closer to one death per year, he said.

There were no air show deaths in 2025 or 2024, and a spectator hasn't been killed at an air show since 1952.

"Safety-wise, we've enjoyed really an unprecedented term of few accidents," Cudahy said.

Idaho Transportation says SH-167 is closed due to the crash and investigation from Simco Rd to SH-67 near the Mountain Home AFB. ITD says this is anticipated to be a multi-day closure.

Col. David Gunter, Wing Commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, released the following statement on Sunday.

First and foremost, we are incredibly thankful that everyone involved in today’s incident is safe. The extraordinary professionalism of our emergency response teams, including the city and county, allowed for quick response to the aircrew as well as securing the scene to ensure the safety of our guests, performers and community. And to all of our guests here today, I can’t tell you how much we appreciated your patience, trust and support. Silver Wings of Idaho, which is a volunteer board working alongside Mountain Home Air Force Base to help plan and support the Gunfighter Skies 2026 Airshow, released this statement.

Today was an emotional and difficult day at Gunfighter Skies. While the events were not what anyone expected, we are incredibly grateful and relieved that all four pilots involved are safe. That is, and always will be, the most important thing. Our hearts are with everyone affected today, the pilots, their families, the crews, and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event possible. Situations like this remind us how quickly things can change and how much these men and women put on the line every time they take to the skies. We also want to recognize the incredible response from Mountain Home Air Force Base along with the many local, county, and state agencies that responded today. Law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency personnel, and support teams from multiple agencies showed outstanding professionalism, teamwork, and care throughout the situation. We are beyond thankful for every person who stepped in to help keep others safe during an incredibly stressful moment. To our guests, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and community, thank you for your patience, kindness, and understanding today. Even through unexpected circumstances, people came together and supported one another, and that meant so much. Serving on the Silver Wings of Idaho board and helping bring this airshow to our community has truly been an honor. This weekend was filled with so much hard work, dedication, and heart from countless people behind the scenes. Today reminded all of us that while airshows inspire and excite us, safety and the people behind the mission will always come first. Tonight, we are simply thankful that everyone made it home safe.

“The collision involved two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129”

Why would specialized and I assume abnormally expensive aircraft be used at an air show?

And would pilots of such aircraft be used to flying close together?

Following the mid-air collision on May 17, 2026, which destroyed two aircraft, the U.S. Navy’s operational EA-18G Growler fleet is reduced from 160 to 158 aircraft.

This total fleet number, confirmed in official budget documents as of April 2025, includes all active, training, and reserve aircraft. The two aircraft lost were part of the EA-18G Growler Demo Team and assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), the Navy’s Fleet Replacement Squadron responsible for training.

With Boeing having ended Growler production, the fleet is finite, and these two losses permanently reduce the Navy’s inventory of this critical electronic warfare asset.

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