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Midair collision at Idaho show
Two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided midair during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho at about 12:10 p.m. MDT on Sunday.
“at about 12:10 p.m. MDT”
Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, said the aircraft were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 out of Whidbey Island, Washington, and that the collision happened while the planes were performing an aerial demonstration.
Umayam said all four air crew members successfully ejected and were being evaluated by medical personnel while first responders remained at the scene.
The Idaho Statesman reported that an announcer told the crowd shortly after 1 p.m. that all four Navy pilots involved were “found safe,” and that the crash occurred about two miles northwest of the base.
The Idaho Statesman also reported that “We had four good parachutes,” an air show announcer told attendees, after spectators saw four parachutes in the sky near the crash scene.
Witnesses and officials speak
Witnesses described a thick plume of black smoke rising as the jets fell, and Fox News Digital reported that David Katz saw what appeared to be the two aircraft colliding before one erupted into flames.
Katz told Fox News Digital, "We saw the smoke and fireball," and said he watched four parachutes deploy as emergency crews rushed toward the crash site.
The Idaho Statesman said the 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office told the public that “All four of the air crew successfully ejected and they are being evaluated by medical personnel,” and that first responders were on the scene.
The base also told the crowd that the parachutes were a promising sign, with the Idaho Statesman quoting an air show announcer saying, "We had four good parachutes."
According to the Idaho Statesman, the base announced it was canceling the remainder of the show at about 2:30 p.m., while officials worked to gather more information and control a brush fire sparked by the crash.
Investigation, cancellations, and access
The crash prompted immediate changes to the event, with the Idaho Statesman reporting that the base announced they were canceling the remainder of the show at about 2:30 p.m. and that attendees were instructed not to leave the base.
“as a spectator, as the event will no longer be taking place.”
USA TODAY reported that the air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base was canceled on Sunday, May 17, after two Navy jets collided midair and crashed during a demonstration, forcing four crew members to eject safely.
USA TODAY said the incident occurred about two miles northwest of the Mountain Home Air Force Base and that the base advised the public not to travel to or attempt to access the base “as a spectator, as the event will no longer be taking place.”
The National Weather Service reported good visibility and winds gusting up to 29 mph around the time of the crash, and USA TODAY quoted the weather service warning that “Areas of blowing dust and reduced visibility will create additional hazards.”
Investigators were expected to use the fact that the crews survived, and USA TODAY said the incident remains under investigation while the base later reported the incident scene had been secured and attendees were allowed to exit the base.
