Agencies | Washington:
Two US Navy fighter jets crashed mid-air while performing during the “Gunfighter Skies” airshow at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, with all four crew members ejecting safely before the aircraft plunged to the ground.
The incident involved two EA-18G Growler fighter jets that were carrying out close-formation aerial manoeuvres during the airshow held at the base, located nearly 50 miles southeast of Boise.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media captured the moment the two aircraft appeared to collide in mid-air before spiralling downward in flames. Moments after the collision, four parachutes were seen opening in the sky, confirming that all crew members had successfully ejected.
Witness footage showed the jets flying extremely close to each other before apparently becoming entangled. Sparks erupted from the aircraft as they descended rapidly, ending in a massive fireball and thick black smoke rising above the crash site.
Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the area, while Mountain Home Air Force Base was placed under lockdown following the crash.
In a statement shared on social media, the air force base confirmed that emergency personnel were on the scene and that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the accident.
