Idaho air show collision sends two Navy jets into crash, but all four crew members survive
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — Four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided and crashed during an air show Sunday at Mountain Home Air Force Base, according to organizers and officials at the scene.
The incident unfolded during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, a popular event that draws crowds to the military installation about 50 miles south of Boise. Witnesses described seeing the aircraft come together in the air before both jets descended and crashed near the base, sending up smoke and prompting an immediate emergency response.
Kim Sykes, marketing director for Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped plan the air show, said all four crew members made it out safely. “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” Sykes said.
The base said in a social media post that it was locked down following the crash. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, and officials said an investigation was underway to determine what caused the collision.
Videos posted by spectators appeared to show two aircraft making contact in the air before spinning together and separating as the crew members ejected. In multiple clips circulating online, parachutes can be seen opening in the sky moments before the planes plunge toward the ground near the base. The aircraft then appear to crash in a fireball after impact.
Shane Ogden, who recorded one of the videos, said he was filming the jets when they came close together. His footage appeared to show the aircraft making contact and then spinning as the crew members ejected.
No injuries were reported on the ground, according to organizers. Authorities did not immediately release the names of the crew members, the exact type of Navy aircraft involved, or details on whether the flight was part of a demonstration routine or support activity connected to the air show.
Officials at the 366th Fighter Wing public affairs office said additional information was not immediately available. The crash happened during a weekend event that featured aerial demonstrations, parachute jumps and military aircraft displays, including performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Air shows often involve complex maneuvers and tight formations, making safety procedures and rapid response planning essential. In this case, organizers and military officials moved quickly to secure the area and confirm the condition of the aircrew. The successful ejection of all four crew members sharply reduced what could have been a far deadlier outcome.
While the cause remains unknown, investigators are expected to review video evidence, aircraft maintenance records, flight plans and witness accounts as they work to reconstruct the final moments before the collision. Such investigations can take time, especially when they involve military aircraft and public events.
For spectators, the dramatic scene turned a celebration of aviation into a frightening emergency. Still, the early news that all four crew members survived brought relief to organizers, military officials and those in attendance.
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show is billed as a celebration of aviation history and modern military capability, and it typically includes demonstrations designed to showcase precision flying and coordination. Sunday’s collision underscored the inherent risks faced by pilots who perform in close proximity before large public crowds.
Officials said they would continue assessing the scene and gathering evidence as part of the ongoing inquiry.