Four crew members are in stable condition after two US Navy fighter jets collided in mid-air during an air show in Idaho, officials confirmed. All pilots safely ejected before the aircraft crashed.
The incident took place on Sunday during the final day of the Gunfighter Skies air show, held near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, United States. The crash happened about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the base while the jets were performing a planned aerial demonstration.
A US Navy spokesperson said both aircraft were EA-18G Growler jets used for electronic warfare missions. The crew members were able to eject safely after the mid-air collision. They were later taken for medical checks. Officials have not confirmed the full extent of their injuries, but all are reported to be in stable condition.
The aircraft involved belong to an electronic attack squadron based in Washington state. Each EA-18G Growler is valued at around $67 million, according to US Navy estimates.
After the collision, a fire broke out at the crash site, and emergency teams rushed to the area. The military base was briefly placed under lockdown as a safety measure. The remainder of the air show was cancelled immediately.
Officials from Mountain Home Air Force Base confirmed the condition of the aircrew in a public statement. They thanked visitors for their patience and cooperation during the emergency response.
The statement also confirmed that no spectators or ground personnel were injured during the incident.
Organizers of the air show said the situation was quickly brought under control and praised emergency teams for their response.
Kim Sykes from Silver Wings of Idaho, one of the event organizers, said that no one on the ground at the base was harmed during the accident. She spoke to a local media outlet shortly after the incident.
The Gunfighter Skies air show is a popular military aviation event in Idaho. It was last held in 2018, when a glider pilot died in a separate accident. This history has added attention to safety concerns at the event.
Authorities have now launched a full investigation to determine how the two jets collided during the demonstration. Officials have not yet shared possible causes, and it is too early to confirm whether it was a pilot error, technical issue, or coordination failure.
Air shows in the United States often feature complex aerial maneuvers performed by military pilots. While strict safety rules are in place, mid-air incidents remain a known risk during high-speed demonstrations.
The US Navy has not released further details about the condition of the aircraft or the timeline for its investigation report.
Emergency teams remained at the site for several hours after the crash to secure debris and ensure the area was safe.
The incident briefly disrupted the final day of the air show, which had attracted large crowds of aviation enthusiasts and families.
Despite the dramatic crash, officials confirmed that safety systems worked as expected, allowing the crew members to eject successfully before impact.
Investigators will now review flight data, communication records, and pilot actions as part of the ongoing inquiry into the collision.
