Four crew members involved in a mid-air collision of military aircraft at an air show ejected safely Sunday outside Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, the U.S. Navy said.
Two E/A-18G Growler jets collided in midair 2 miles from the base during the two-day Gunfighter Skies Air Show, said Cmdr Amelia Umayam, a spokeswoman for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet.
The two jets, carrying four aircrew, collided “while performing an aerial demonstration” around 10 p.m. 12:10 a.m. MDT as part of the air show, Umayam added, noting that all four crew members ejected safely.
“The incident is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available,” Umayam said.
The airbase was locked down after the crash, according to Mountain Home’s Facebook page.
The airshow’s official site lists the US Navy’s E/A-18G “Vikings” Growler Demo Team as one of the scheduled performers. The jets involved in the collision were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 out of Whidbey Island, Wash., Umayam said.
Sunday was the first Gunfighter Skies Air Show in eight years. A hang glider pilot died in a crash during the last show of 2018.
The Mountain Home Fire Department, the Mountain Home Police Department and the Elmore County emergency coordinator did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
