Image Courtesy: BBC News
Two US Navy fighter jets collided midair during an aerial demonstration at an air show in Idaho on Sunday, forcing all four crew members to eject as emergency crews rushed to contain a fire near the crash site.
The incident took place during the final day of the Gunfighter Skies air show near Mountain Home Air Force Base, where two EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft crashed while performing in front of spectators. All four aircrew members safely ejected and were reported to be in stable condition, according to BBC News.
The collision triggered a visible fire and temporarily locked down the military base as emergency response teams secured the area. Organizers canceled the remainder of the event shortly afterward while investigators began examining the cause of the crash.
The EA-18G Growler is one of the US Navy’s primary airborne electronic attack aircraft, designed to jam enemy radar systems and support combat operations. Each aircraft carries an estimated price tag of roughly $67 million, making the incident both operationally and financially significant.
The jets involved were assigned to a Navy electronic attack squadron based in Washington state. While officials have not yet released details about what caused the collision, military aviation incidents during live demonstration flights often draw intense scrutiny due to the precision flying required at low altitude and close formation distances.
The crash also revives difficult memories for the Gunfighter Skies event, which was last held in 2018 before this year’s return. During that edition of the show, a glider pilot was killed in a separate accident.
Air shows remain a major public relations and recruitment tool for military aviation programs worldwide, but they also carry inherent risks. Demonstration pilots routinely operate high-performance aircraft in tightly choreographed maneuvers that leave little room for error, especially in multi-aircraft formations.
