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Two EA-18G Growler jets collided during an air show in Idaho, crashed in flames, and forced four pilots to eject.
A military air show in the United States ended in a dramatic scene on Sunday, May 17, 2026, when two electronic warfare jets EA-18G Growler, from the American Navy, collided mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show event, held at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in the state of Idaho. Videos recorded by spectators show the moment the aircraft approach during the demonstration, collide in the air, enter an uncontrolled spin, and plummet towards the ground while huge smoke columns begin to rise near the military base.
The aircraft belonged to the demonstration group “Vikings,” linked to the United States Navy squadron VAQ-129. According to the Associated Press and Reuters, the four crew members managed to eject before the impact, and witnesses recorded four parachutes opening a few seconds after the collision.
The accident instantly turned the air show into a major emergency operation. Military firefighters, medical teams, rescue helicopters, and police units were dispatched to the impact area, located approximately 3 kilometers from the air base. The event was immediately canceled after the accident.
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Videos show the two EA-18G Growler spinning in the sky after collision during military presentation in Idaho
The images shared on social media and reproduced by American outlets show the two jets flying in formation during a maneuver at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show when the collision occurs.
After the impact, the aircraft begin to spin rapidly in the air before falling towards the ground. A few seconds later, four parachutes appear over the accident area.
According to information released by Reuters, the accident occurred near the Mountain Home Air Force Base, an important military facility located about 80 kilometers southeast of the city of Boise, the capital of the state of Idaho.
The announcement made over the event’s sound system shortly after the accident confirmed that “four good parachutes” had been seen, a phrase traditionally used in military aviation accidents to indicate successful ejection of the crew. According to reports reproduced by the American press, the pilots were located about a mile south of the smoke area.
Military authorities did not immediately release details about the crew’s clinical condition, but the Associated Press reported that all survived and underwent medical evaluation after the rescue.
EA-18G Growler is a fighter specialized in electronic warfare and can cost about US$ 67 million per unit
The accident drew even more attention because it involved two aircraft considered highly sophisticated within American military aviation. The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a specialized variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter developed specifically for electronic warfare.
The main function of the Growler is to locate, interfere with, and neutralize enemy radars, communication systems, and air defenses. The aircraft can perform electronic signal jamming, radar interference, and electronic attacks capable of hindering the operation of adversary anti-aircraft systems.
The model officially entered operational service in the United States Navy in 2009 and replaced the old EA-6B Prowler in electronic warfare missions. The aircraft uses advanced sensors from Northrop Grumman and electronic interference systems integrated with the radar and external pods.
Although values vary according to batch, equipment, and military contracts, recent defense sector estimates indicate that each EA-18G Growler can cost approximately US$ 67 million, not considering maintenance, armaments, and operational costs over its lifetime.
Gunfighter Skies Air Show had returned after years without being held and ended in chaos after collision
The accident occurred during the return of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, a traditional American military air event held in Mountain Home. According to local media and the Associated Press, this was the first edition of the event in approximately eight years.
The show brought together military presentations, aerial combat demonstrations, acrobatic teams, and displays of modern aircraft from the United States Air Force and Navy. Among the scheduled attractions were precisely the EA-18G Growlers of the Vikings team.
After the collision, local police and military authorities advised the public to avoid traveling near the impact area. Some parts of the base went into temporary lockdown while emergency teams fought fires caused by the aircraft crash.
Videos show large columns of dark smoke rising from the accident region, while rescue vehicles quickly moved along the runway and areas near the crash site.
The four crew members managed to escape using emergency ejection seats
One of the most important factors in preventing fatalities was the correct functioning of the aircraft ejection system. The EA-18G Growler has two crew members per plane: pilot and electronic warfare officer. Thus, the two aircraft involved were carrying four military personnel in total.
According to reports reproduced by the American press, the four managed to eject before impact on the ground. The ejection process in supersonic jets occurs in fractions of a second and uses seats propelled by explosives and compact rockets to launch the occupants out of the aircraft. After that, automatic parachutes come into operation.
The Associated Press reported that all crew members survived and were evaluated by military medical teams.
The event’s own sound system reportedly reassured spectators that “four good parachutes” had been seen in the sky shortly after the accident, quickly signaling that the occupants had escaped the collision.
Experts point out that military air shows involve minimal margins for error
Although military air shows are planned with strict safety protocols, low-altitude demonstrations and formation flights always involve high risk. In such presentations, aircraft can operate separated by extremely small distances while executing quick turns and abrupt changes of direction.
In the case of Gunfighter Skies, preliminary videos suggest that the Growlers were performing a coordinated demonstration when the excessive approach that ended in the collision occurred. There is still no official conclusion on the cause of the accident.
According to Reuters, authorities at Mountain Home Air Force Base reported that a formal investigation was opened immediately after the accident.
The American Navy usually conducts extensive investigations in such accidents, analyzing flight recordings, telemetry, communication between pilots, external videos, aircraft maintenance, and atmospheric conditions at the time of the presentation.
Investigation will try to understand if there was human error, coordination failure, or technical problem
So far, the authorities have not disclosed what caused the collision. Experts point out that investigations of this type usually analyze three major possibilities: human error, mechanical failure, or loss of situational awareness during the aerial formation.
Preliminary videos suggest that the aircraft were on a very close trajectory at the time of the maneuver, but there is still no official confirmation about which of the planes caused the initial contact.
Reuters reported that more details should be released as the investigation progresses.
Since all four crew members survived, investigators will have direct access to the accounts of those involved, something considered extremely important in complex military accidents.
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