Midair collision between two jets at air show prompts Idaho Air Force base lockdown
Mountain Home Air Force Base outside of Boise, Idaho, was locked down Sunday afternoon after two U.S. Navy jets performing at an air show crashed in midair, according to authorities and bystander video of the incident.
The two Navy EA-18 Growler jets collided in midair during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, according to a Navy spokesperson.
"All four of the air crew successfully ejected," Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for the Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, said in a statement. All four are in stable condition, according to the Mountain Home Air Force Base Gunfighters.
Umayam said the crash occurred around 12:10 p.m. MDT while the crews were performing an aerial demonstration.
The two jets involved in the crash were assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron at Whidbey Island, Washington, Umayam said, adding that the cause of the crash is under investigation.
A bystander video of the incident captured two jets flying near each other when they collided in midair. As the two planes plummeted to the ground, four parachutes appeared to deploy.
A plume of black smoke is seen in the footage as the jets crashed to the ground and exploded.
The air show was cancelled immediately after the crash, according to a post from the Mountain Home Police Department, which further advised spectators not to travel to the Air Force base.
