Four Navy Aircrew Safe After EA-18G Growlers Collide During Idaho Air Show
Four U.S. Navy aircrew members are safe and in stable condition after two EA-18G Growler jets collided Sunday during an aerial demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
The aircraft were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington, according to Naval Air Forces. Both jets were performing as part of the air show demonstration when they came together in flight and subsequently crashed approximately two miles from the base. All four crew members successfully ejected before impact.
Base officials said the aircrew were in stable condition following the incident. No injuries were reported among spectators or personnel on the ground. The base was placed on lockdown after the crash, and the remainder of the air show was canceled while emergency crews responded.
Spectator video showed the two aircraft flying in close proximity before making contact. The jets appeared to remain together briefly while descending, giving the crews time to eject. Four parachutes were seen opening before the aircraft impacted the ground and exploded in a fireball.
The official cause of the crash has not been determined, and the Navy has opened an investigation. However, early video and aviation expert analysis suggest investigators may look closely at aircraft spacing, closure rate, and relative positioning during the demonstration. One possible scenario is that the aircraft came into unsafe proximity because of a momentary misjudgment during formation or rendezvous-style flying. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti told the Associated Press that the incident appeared more consistent with a pilot-positioning issue than an obvious mechanical malfunction, while emphasizing that formation flying leaves little margin for error.
The EA-18G Growler is a two-seat electronic warfare aircraft derived from the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Although some early reports referred to the four people aboard as pilots, each Growler typically carries a pilot and an electronic warfare officer. The Navy had not publicly released the names of the aircrew as of the latest reports.
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show was being held for the first time at Mountain Home since 2018. The event included military flight demonstrations, parachute teams, and a scheduled performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Despite the dramatic crash, the successful ejection of all four crew members prevented the incident from becoming a fatal accident. Investigators are expected to review cockpit testimony, aircraft data, video footage, maintenance records, weather, and air show procedures as they determine what led to the midair collision.
