Two Boeing EA-18G Growler fighter jets collided mid-air during a live air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday, sending thick black smoke into the sky and forcing the base into lockdown.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show. According to officials, the aircraft crashed nearly two miles outside the base perimeter, while emergency response teams rushed to the scene within minutes.
Videos shared on social media captured the dramatic moment the two jets collided in mid-flight before breaking apart. Moments later, four parachutes were seen descending from the sky, bringing relief to thousands of spectators watching the show. Event announcers later confirmed that all four crew members had safely ejected before impact, a detail later verified by the US Navy.
Following the collision, Mountain Home Air Force Base immediately cancelled all remaining Sunday events. Local police also confirmed that the base was temporarily placed under lockdown as a precautionary measure while emergency operations continued.
A spokesperson for the base stated that investigators are currently examining the cause of the crash and that additional details will be released once more information becomes available.
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show had returned this year for the first time in eight years, attracting large crowds eager to witness military flight demonstrations and aerial performances. Organisers reportedly spent nearly two years preparing for the event, with extensive safety and maintenance arrangements in place.
The accident has also revived memories of previous incidents linked to the base’s air show history. In 2018, a hang glider pilot lost his life after crashing onto the runway during an event there. Earlier, in 2003, a Thunderbirds jet also crashed during an air show at the same base, although the pilot survived after ejecting safely.
Authorities continue to investigate the latest collision as officials assess the circumstances surrounding the mid-air crash.
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