Shocking footage captured a terrifying moment Sunday when two U.S. Navy fighter jets collided in midair during an air show in Idaho, sending both aircraft spiraling toward the ground in a fiery crash that stunned spectators gathered near Mountain Home Air Force Base.
The dramatic video, obtained by Fox News, showed the two EA-18G Growler jets striking each other roughly two miles north of the base during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show. Witnesses watched in horror as the aircraft appeared locked together for a brief instant before both suddenly turned downward.
Moments later, flames and thick smoke began pouring from the jets as they plunged toward the earth, turning what had been a routine military demonstration into a scene of chaos and disbelief.
Despite the violent collision, all four crew members aboard the aircraft managed to eject safely before impact. Spectators could reportedly see four parachutes opening in the sky as the planes descended.
Fox News co-host Jason Chaffetz later shared that all four service members survived the crash and were being treated by medical personnel.
“Miraculous,” Chaffetz said. “Thank goodness those four were able to eject. Amazing.”
A massive plume of smoke rose into the air after the aircraft struck the ground, with video showing the aftermath from a distance as stunned attendees tried to process what had unfolded in front of them.
The collision reportedly occurred around 12:10 p.m. Mountain Time. About an hour later, local law enforcement officials announced the remainder of the air show had been canceled.
One attendee, David Katz, described the frightening scene to Fox News Digital, saying he and his family witnessed the crash firsthand.
“We saw the smoke and fireball,” Katz said. “One of the planes was impacted and started burning in the air.”
Two EA-18G Growlers crashed today following a midair collision at the Gunfighter Skies Airshow at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. All pilots appear to have ejected safely. pic.twitter.com/b15tvJO0mm
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 17, 2026
The incident added another sobering reminder of the risks involved in military aviation demonstrations, even during carefully planned public events designed to showcase the precision and skill of America’s armed forces. Air shows have long served as opportunities for civilians to connect with military pilots and aircraft up close, but Sunday’s crash underscored how quickly even highly trained operations can turn dangerous.
The EA-18G Growler is a Navy electronic warfare aircraft commonly used to support combat operations by disrupting enemy radar and communications systems. While the article did not provide details about what may have caused the collision, the footage appeared to show the two jets making contact while maneuvering in close proximity during the performance.
No fatalities were reported in connection with the crash, a fact many observers described as extraordinary given the intensity of the impact and the fire visible before the aircraft hit the ground.
Sunday’s collision also came just days after another aviation-related rescue story drew national attention. According to the article, a U.S. Air Force pilot recently described to CNN the “pretty miraculous” rescue of 11 plane crash survivors off the coast of the Bahamas.
For many watching in Idaho, however, the focus remained on the narrow escape that unfolded overhead in real time — a powerful reminder both of the professionalism of America’s military aviators and the unforgiving dangers that can accompany high-speed flight.
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