Two Navy EA-18G Growlers Collide at Idaho Air Show, All Four Crew Members Eject Safely
Why It Matters
A midair collision between two U.S. Navy aircraft at a public air show in Idaho raised immediate questions about aviation safety protocols during aerial demonstrations at military installations. All four crew members survived, but the incident underscores the inherent risks of high-performance flight exhibitions conducted near civilian spectators.
What Happened
Two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets collided in midair on Sunday during an aerial demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The collision occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. Mountain Time, during the event’s second day.
All four aviators aboard the two aircraft successfully ejected before the jets fell to the ground. Military and civilian emergency personnel responded to the scene and began evaluating the crew members for injuries. An investigation was formally opened shortly after the incident.
Commander Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, confirmed that both aircraft were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state.
Dramatic footage circulated on social media showing the two jets making contact before four parachutes blossomed in the sky — two from each aircraft. The planes then descended and struck the ground, detonating in fireballs and sending thick columns of black smoke rising into the air approximately two miles northwest of the base.
Eyewitness Accounts
David Katz, who attended the show with his family, described watching one aircraft ignite shortly after the collision. “We saw the smoke and fireball,” Katz said. “One of the planes was impacted and started burning in the air.” He confirmed seeing four parachutes deploy before the aircraft hit the ground, as emergency crews converged on the crash site.
Local television stations reported that other witnesses shared video footage capturing the large plume of black smoke visible from the surrounding area. Law enforcement and first responders secured the crash zone while officials worked to confirm crew status and gather initial details.
Mountain Home Gunfighters, the organization associated with the base’s air show activities, posted a statement on Facebook acknowledging “an aircraft incident” and noting that emergency responders were on scene and an investigation had been launched.
By the Numbers
- 2 — EA-18G Growler aircraft involved in the collision
- 4 — crew members who ejected; all survived
- 2 — crew members per aircraft (the Growler is a two-seat platform)
- ~12:10 p.m. MDT — time of the incident
- 2 miles northwest of the base — approximate crash site location
About the Aircraft
The EA-18G Growler is a specialized electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, operated exclusively by the U.S. Navy. Designed for airborne electronic attack missions — including radar jamming and suppression of enemy air defenses — the two-seat jet is one of the Navy’s most operationally critical platforms. Electronic Attack Squadron 129 functions as the Navy’s primary Growler training squadron at Whidbey Island.
Zoom Out
The incident follows a series of Navy aviation accidents in recent years that have prompted congressional scrutiny of military readiness and aircraft maintenance funding. A separate naval aviation incident occurred earlier this year off the California coast, where a Navy F-35 went down and the pilot safely ejected. Military air shows, while popular public outreach events for the armed forces, carry elevated risk due to the low-altitude, high-performance maneuvers required for demonstrations.
Concerns about U.S. military readiness extend beyond individual incidents. As Trump administration advisers have warned about a potential Chinese military threat to Taiwan within five years, maintaining a fully operational naval aviation fleet remains a top strategic priority.
What’s Next
The Navy confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision. Officials indicated that additional details would be released as the inquiry progresses. The condition of all four crew members was being assessed at the time of initial reports, with no fatalities confirmed. It was not immediately clear whether the remainder of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show was canceled following the incident.