WASHINGTON — Four crew members ejected safely after two US Navy jets collided during an air show in Idaho, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.
The aircraft, EA-18G Growlers from an electronic attack squadron based in Washington state, crashed on Sunday while performing an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The rest of the air show was canceled following the accident.
All four members of the aircrew ejected, said Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for the US Pacific Fleet’s Naval Air Forces. The four were in stable condition.
No one on the ground was injured.
The crash occurred about 2 miles northwest of the base during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, the base said on social media.
Videos shared online showed the two aircraft coming close together before appearing to make contact and falling towards the ground. Four parachutes were seen opening as the crew escaped. The jets then crashed and exploded on impact.
The air base said it was locked down after the crash and the rest of the show was canceled.
An eyewitness who filmed the incident said he initially thought the planes would separate. “I was just filming thinking they were going to split apart,” he said, adding that he left soon after to avoid getting in the way of emergency services.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said it was unusual for crews to eject in a mid-air collision. “It’s really striking to see,” he told AP.
He said the way the aircraft appeared to stay together briefly may have given the crew time to escape. He added, “It appears to be a pilot issue to me… rendezvousing with another aeroplane in formation flight is challenging.”
Another expert, John Cox, said such displays allow little room for error. “Air show flying is demanding. It has very little tolerance,” he said, adding he was glad the crew survived.
The event, known as Gunfighter Skies, was being held for the first time at the base since 2018. Safety at US air shows has improved in recent years, with fewer fatal incidents.
Investigators are expected to examine the cause of the crash, with input from the surviving crew.
Source: Saudi Gazette