WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. — Four Washington-based crew members survived after two Navy jets collided midair during an air show in Idaho on Sunday, forcing the event to end early.
The crash involved two EA-18G Growler aircraft from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor.
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Dramatic video from the Mountain Home Air Force Base Gunfighter Skies Air Show, about 50 miles south of Boise, showed the two aircraft tangled and sparking before erupting into flames. An announcement at the scene said, “There have been four good parachutes that were seen and we ask that everyone remain where you are.”
The entangled jets are seen crashing to the ground and exploding as the parachuting crew members float down from the sky.
A Naval Air Forces spokesperson said all four crewmembers from the Electronic Attack Squadron ejected properly and were receiving medical care. One crewmember received non-life-threatening injuries, while the other three were ultimately unhurt and medically cleared after examination.
The air show was canceled for the remainder of the day following the crash.
Mark Hasara, a retired Air Force pilot who attended the show, said conditions included strong wind gusts that kicked up dust. “Looking to the northwest, you could see the fireball, and the smoke and everything,” Hasara said. He said the video alone doesn’t answer what led to the collision. “A lot of people will say, ‘ Oh well, look from the video, one plane hit the other.’ But you got to ask the question: Why did that happen?” Hasara said.
Hasara said he was glad the crew members were okay, given the low altitude during the crash, and credited advances in safety equipment.
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A Naval Air Forces spokesperson said the incident is under investigation, and aircraft recovery efforts have begun
