By Matt Tracy WASHINGTON, May 17 (Reuters) – Four crew members who were part of a mid-air collision between military jets during an air show safely ejected on Sunday near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, accordin...
By Matt Tracy
WASHINGTON, May 17 (Reuters) – Four crew members who were part of a mid-air collision between military jets during an air show safely ejected on Sunday near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, according to the U.S. Navy.
Two E/A-18G Growler jets collided in the air about 2 miles from the base during the two-day Gunfighter Skies Air Show, stated Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The jets, carrying four crew members, collided while performing an aerial demonstration at approximately 12:10 p.m. MDT as part of the show. Umayam confirmed that all four crew members were able to eject safely.
“The incident is under investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available,” Umayam said.
The official air show site lists the U.S. Navy's E/A-18G "Vikings" Growler Demo Team as one of the planned performers. The jets involved in the incident were part of the Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based in Whidbey Island, Washington, according to Umayam.
A section of State Highway 167, where the planes crashed, will be closed for several days while the investigation is underway, as reported by the 366th Fighter Wing stationed at Mountain Home.
Sunday was the first Gunfighter Skies Air Show in eight years. The last event in 2018 saw a hang glider pilot lose their life in a crash.
The Mountain Home Fire Department, Mountain Home Police Department, and Elmore County emergency management coordinator did not respond immediately to requests for comments.