BOISE, Idaho (AP) - On Sunday, two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided and crashed during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Fortunately, all four crew members who ejected from the aircraft were reported to be safe and in stable condition, according to Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The collision happened while the jets were engaged in an aerial demonstration, and the incident is currently under investigation. No injuries were reported among those at the military base, stated Kim Sykes, the marketing director for Silver Wings of Idaho, the organization that helped coordinate the event. “Everyone is safe, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Sykes emphasized.
The incident resulted in immediate lockdown at Mountain Home Air Force Base, and the remainder of the air show was canceled following the crash. Eyewitness videos shared online depicted the dramatic moment when the two jets appeared to collide mid-air, with four parachutes deployed as the aircraft fell towards the ground, exploding in a fireball upon impact.
Shane Ogden, who captured the collision on video, reported that he initially thought the jets would separate as they came close, and was shocked when the crash occurred. After filming the aftermath, he decided to leave the area to avoid obstructing emergency responders.
The EA-18G Growler is a sophisticated variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti remarked that it was remarkable for both crews to eject successfully, noting that mid-air collisions often do not provide such an opportunity. “It looks like they struck each other in a very unique fashion to cause them to remain intact and stick together, which very well could have saved them,” Guzzetti stated.
He speculated that the incident may have been a pilot issue rather than a mechanical malfunction, pointing out the challenges involved in rendezvousing with another aircraft during formation flying. John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, also highlighted the demanding nature of air show flying, indicating that pilots in this field are highly skilled but operate with very little margin for error. “I’m glad everybody was able to get out,” he expressed.
This year's Gunfighter Skies air show was significant as it marked the first event at the base since 2018, when a tragic crash involving a hang glider occurred during a performance. Historical context indicates that air shows have seen their share of accidents, including a notable incident in 2003 when a Thunderbirds aircraft crashed but the pilot ejected just seconds before impact.
The air show sector has been focused on improving safety standards, with the last recorded fatal incident at an air show being in 2022, where two vintage military planes collided in Dallas, leading to six fatalities. John Cudahy, the president and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows, reported a significant decrease in average annual fatalities in the air show industry over the past decade, attributing this change to enhanced safety measures.
With both jet crews surviving the crash, investigators anticipate gathering valuable insights from them about the events leading up to the collision. The Navy will spearhead the investigation, although transparency may differ from civilian crashes due to military protocols.
The ongoing hostilities stemming from the Iran war have already led to the cancellation of several air shows this year where military personnel are active in related operations.
