Navy Jets Collide at Idaho Air Show, Crew Ejects Safely

In Boise, Idaho, all four crew members safely ejected after two Navy jets collided and crashed during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The collision involved two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington. According to Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the aircraft were performing an aerial demonstration at the time of the crash. Fortunately, all crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition. The incident is under investigation.

Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, confirmed that nobody else at the base was injured. “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” said Sykes. In a social media post, the base announced it was locked down following the crash and the remainder of the air show was canceled.

Videos captured by spectators showed four parachutes in the sky as the aircraft plunged to the ground. The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, equipped with electronic warfare systems. Each plane costs approximately $67 million. Shane Ogden, who filmed the incident, reported seeing the two jets make contact, spin, and then the crew members ejected, opening their parachutes. The planes eventually exploded upon impact.

The air show, headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, included aviation history displays and modern military capabilities. The National Weather Service reported clear visibility and winds up to 29 mph during the crash.

Expert Insights

Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti noted the rarity of midair collision survivors. He suggested that the way the planes collided allowed for ejection. “It’s really striking to see,” Guzzetti said, noting the unique impact. He believes the collision was likely a pilot error rather than mechanical failure. John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, emphasized the high skill required at air shows. “Air show flying is demanding…a small margin for error,” he stated, expressing relief that the crews were unharmed.

Historical Context

This year’s Gunfighter Skies event marked the first at the base since a fatal crash in 2018 involving a hang glider. Additionally, in 2003, a Thunderbirds pilot steered a crashing aircraft away from the crowd, ejecting safely. Safety measures have been improved across air shows, with the average number of fatalities decreasing significantly. Since 2017, the figure has averaged 1.1 deaths per year, showing significant improvement from previous decades.

John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows, highlighted the reduced accident rate. Investigators expect to gather information quickly since both crews survived. The Navy will lead the investigation, meaning fewer details may be publicly disclosed compared to civilian crashes.

The ongoing Iran conflict has impacted air show scheduling at military bases, with some events canceled due to missions related to the war.

This article was initially published on May 17, 2026, and updated on May 18, 2026, correcting details about air crash history. There were no fatal crashes in 2023 and 2025, and the last fatalities occurred in separate events in 2024.