Sunday, May 17th 2026 - 23:13 UTC
The military base was locked down following the accident, and State Route SH-167 will remain closed for several days between Simco Road and SH-67 while investigators carry out their work
Two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided in mid-air on Sunday during an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base in the state of Idaho, with no fatalities reported. The four crew members aboard the aircraft ejected in time and were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene, said Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet spokesperson Amelia Umayam. No injuries were reported among base personnel or among spectators of the Gunfighter Skies airshow, during which the incident occurred.
The two aircraft belong to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), based at Whidbey Island, in the state of Washington. Footage captured by spectator Shane Odgen, posted on social media and circulated by the AP news agency, shows the two aircraft approaching, making contact, and plunging to the ground in a joint spin, while the four parachutes opened in the sky seconds before impact, which generated a fireball visible for several kilometres. The military base was locked down following the accident, and State Route SH-167 will remain closed for several days between Simco Road and SH-67 while investigators carry out their work, the Idaho Transportation Department reported.
