Navy E/A-18G Growlers Collide At Idaho Air Show
Summary
During the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on May 17, 2026, two EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 collided in mid-air while performing an aerial demonstration, with dramatic video capturing the entire incident. The trailing Growler struck the lead aircraft from behind and above with its nose, causing both jets to become entangled before tumbling and crashing to the ground in a fireball. All four crew members from the NAS Whidbey Island-based Growler Airshow Team successfully ejected from the falling aircraft, with their ejection sequences remarkably clearing each other's jets despite the extremely dangerous vertical orientation of the aircraft at the time. The base was temporarily placed on lockdown following the incident, and first responders quickly contained the fire caused by the crash. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, though analysts suggest the lead aircraft may have been in the trailing jet's under-nose blind spot as a possible contributing factor.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Both EA-18G Growlers were completely destroyed after colliding mid-air and crashing to the ground in flames during a public airshow
- 2. All four crew members successfully ejected and survived, being evaluated by medical personnel following the incident
- 3. The collision occurred approximately two miles northwest of Mountain Home Air Force Base at around 12:10 p.m. MDT
- 4. A potential contributing factor may have been the lead aircraft entering the blind spot beneath the nose of the trailing jet just before impact
- 5. The incident prompted a temporary base lockdown, and an official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the mishap