All four crew members aboard two Navy aircraft that crashed during an air show demonstration in Idaho on Sunday successfully ejected to safety, according to U.S. Navy officials.
The collision occurred when two E/A-18G Growler aircraft struck each other while performing an aerial display approximately 2 miles from Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, according to Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The crash happened at approximately 12:10 p.m. MDT as the aircraft were conducting their demonstration flight during the weekend air show event, Umayam reported.
“The incident is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available,” Umayam said.
Following the accident, Mountain Home Air Force Base implemented security lockdown procedures, as announced on the base’s official Facebook page.
The aircraft that collided belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington, according to Umayam. The jets were part of the U.S. Navy’s E/A-18G “Vikings” Growler Demo Team, which was listed among the scheduled performers for the air show.
This weekend’s event represented the first Gunfighter Skies Air Show held in eight years. The previous show in 2018 was marred by tragedy when a hang glider pilot was killed in a crash.
Local emergency response agencies, including the Mountain Home Fire Department, Mountain Home Police Department and Elmore County emergency management coordinator, have not yet provided statements regarding the incident.
