The crash ended the Gunfighter Skies event at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — Two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided Sunday during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, sending both aircraft down in flames as four crew members ejected and survived, officials said.
The crash happened during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, about 50 miles southeast of Boise. The Navy said the aircraft were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington. One crew member was treated for a non-life-threatening injury, and three others were uninjured.
The collision happened about 12:10 p.m. while the jets were performing an aerial demonstration. Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, said all four crew members safely ejected and were evaluated by medical personnel. Videos from spectators showed the two aircraft coming together in the sky before falling toward the ground as parachutes opened above the crash scene.
Officials said no injuries were reported among spectators or people on the ground. A plume of black smoke rose from the crash site, and the base was locked down while emergency crews responded. A section of Idaho State Highway 167 near the site was closed as investigators secured the area. The cause of the collision was not immediately known.
The EA-18G Growler is a Navy electronic warfare aircraft used to jam enemy radar and communications. The jets involved were part of the “Vikings” Growler demonstration team. The crash destroyed two specialized aircraft and brought new attention to the risk of close-formation flying, even during planned public demonstrations.
The air show was the first at Mountain Home Air Force Base since 2018, when hang glider pilot Dan Buchanan died during a performance. This year’s event included military aircraft displays and aerial teams before the Sunday crash forced officials to cancel the rest of the show.
The Navy opened an investigation into the collision. Investigators are expected to review flight data, radio traffic, maintenance records, weather conditions and video from the demonstration. Officials had not released the names of the crew members as of Tuesday.
Spectators described a sudden shift from celebration to alarm as the aircraft dropped from the formation. Several people recorded the moment from the crowd line, capturing the sound of the impact and the sight of parachutes in the sky. Base officials said emergency crews moved quickly to reach the crew members and secure the crash area.
The crew members remained alive and accounted for as the investigation continued Tuesday. The next major step is the Navy’s preliminary review of what caused the two jets to collide during the demonstration.
Author note: Last updated May 19, 2026.