MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — A major mid-air collision disrupted the final day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the crash of two U.S. Navy jets. Miraculously, all four crew members aboard the aircraft successfully ejected and are reported safe.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 17, 2026, during the second and final day of the annual event hosted at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, located roughly 55 miles southeast of Boise.
The Incident
According to base officials and eyewitness reports, the two aircraft involved were U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers belonging to the VAQ-129 “Vikings” electronic attack demonstration team. The jets collided in mid-air approximately two miles northwest of the military installation.
Spectator videos captured the harrowing moment of impact, followed by a dramatic sequence of the aircraft breaking apart and plunging toward the ground. Amidst the smoke, the footage captured a reassuring sight: four distinct parachutes deploying against the afternoon sky.
Shortly after the impact, an air show announcer addressed the stunned crowd over the loudspeakers, confirming there were “four good parachutes”—a military term indicating that all crew members had successfully initiated emergency ejection procedures and were descending safely.
Immediate Response and Base Lockdown
Mountain Home Air Force Base was placed on immediate lockdown following the crash as emergency teams scrambled to the impact zone.
Details regarding the exact medical status of the four crew members have not yet been released, though officials confirmed they were recovered alive. No ground injuries or civilian casualties have been reported at this time.
Air Show Halted
The remainder of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show was immediately canceled following the accident. The event, which draws thousands of aviation enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest, was scheduled to conclude with a headline performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.
