Quick Answer
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided in mid air during a close formation demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The aircraft came down roughly two miles from the main base complex and were destroyed.
All four crew members ejected successfully. Witnesses counted four parachutes opening before the fireball hit the ground. Emergency teams located all four pilots about one mile south of the crash site, where they were evaluated for minor injuries. The remainder of the air show was cancelled and a joint Navy and Air Force investigation is now underway.
What Happened at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show
The Gunfighter Skies air show is a flagship event for the 366th Fighter Wing, nicknamed the Gunfighters, who are based at Mountain Home AFB in southwest Idaho. The 2026 edition was the first time the show had been held at the base in eight years, drawing a large crowd from across the Treasure Valley.
During a scheduled performance on Sunday afternoon, two EA-18G Growler jets flying in a tight close formation manoeuvre appeared to make contact. Spectator video shows sparks flashing between the airframes before both jets entered an uncontrolled spiral and impacted the ground in a single large fireball with thick black smoke visible for miles.
What Is an EA-18G Growler?
The EA-18G Growler is a specialised electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. It retains the flight characteristics of the Super Hornet but trades some weapons capacity for sophisticated jamming and electronic attack equipment.
The primary mission of the Growler is not traditional air to air combat. It is built to jam enemy radar, disrupt communications and suppress integrated air defences so that strike aircraft can operate safely. Each jet carries a crew of two: a pilot and a weapon systems officer in the back seat, which is why the two jet collision involved four airmen rather than two.
Four Parachutes: The Miraculous Outcome
Mid air collisions at air show altitudes are catastrophic almost by definition. Crews have very little time to react and the ejection envelope is extremely tight when an aircraft is already tumbling or low to the ground.
In this case, every crew member made the call in time. The SJU-17 ejection seats fitted to the Super Hornet family are rated as "zero zero", meaning they can save a crew member at zero altitude and zero airspeed, and they performed exactly as designed. The air show announcer reportedly told the stunned crowd over the public address that "four good parachutes" had been counted.
All four US Navy pilots were located by emergency response teams approximately one mile south of the primary crash site. Military officials confirmed they were alive and being evaluated for minor injuries.
The Immediate Response and Base Lockdown
Mountain Home AFB was placed under immediate lockdown after the crash. The 366th Fighter Wing mobilised its full emergency response apparatus within minutes.
- Fire suppression. Crash crews raced to the impact site to contain the intense aviation fuel fire and prevent the blaze from spreading across the high desert terrain.
- Crowd control. Thousands of attendees were initially told to stay in place so emergency vehicles could move freely along the surrounding roads.
- Public warnings. The Mountain Home Police Department issued alerts urging residents and travellers to avoid the area completely while the response was active.
The remainder of the Gunfighter Skies show was cancelled and the gates were closed to new arrivals.
The Investigation Ahead
Whenever military aircraft are lost in front of the public, a formal accident investigation board is convened. In this case the lead service is the US Navy, since the jets and crew belong to the Navy, with cooperation from the Air Force as the host installation.
Investigators will work through several main lines of inquiry:
- Cockpit and flight data. Recordings of pilot communications, control inputs and aircraft state in the seconds before contact.
- Wreckage analysis. Physical evidence to confirm or rule out mechanical failure, control surface issues or fuel system problems.
- Manoeuvre profile. Whether the specific demonstration manoeuvre was flown to plan, including spacing, closure rate and altitude.
- Environmental factors. Wind, turbulence, sun position and any sudden weather changes over the field.
A full report can take many months to publish. An initial safety summary, focused on whether other Growler crews need to take immediate action, is usually released much sooner.
Why This Matters Beyond Idaho
The EA-18G Growler is the only dedicated tactical electronic warfare aircraft in active US service. The fleet is relatively small, and the platform plays a critical role in any major contingency where the US Navy and partner forces need to operate against modern air defences.
Losing two airframes in a single incident is significant for fleet readiness and is likely to trigger a review of demonstration profiles flown at public air shows. Expect a temporary tightening of formation demo rules across Navy aviation while investigators do their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were injured in the Mountain Home AFB crash?
All four US Navy crew members ejected safely and were evaluated for minor injuries. There were no confirmed injuries on the ground.
Where is Mountain Home Air Force Base?
Mountain Home AFB is in Elmore County, southwest Idaho, roughly 40 miles southeast of Boise. It is home to the US Air Force 366th Fighter Wing.
Will the rest of the Gunfighter Skies air show be rescheduled?
The remainder of the 2026 event was cancelled. The base has not yet announced whether the show will be rescheduled or returned to its normal multi year cycle.
