It’s likely that a few feet either way would have changed the outcome of a midair collision at Mountain Home, Idaho on Sunday. New images show the two E/A-18 Growler aircraft came together slightly offset, allowing both crews to eject clear of the entangled planes and parachute to safe landings near the fiery wreck. The crews were taken to a local hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. “Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” Gunfighter Skies spokesperson Kim Sykes told the Associated Press. It was windy at the time of the collision with gusts up to 29 mph.
@CWLemoine pic.twitter.com/qiHSCGhRTV
— Phil Landram (@KC135BOOMER) May 17, 2026
The unusual incident occurred on the second day of the annual air show at the base, about 40 miles southeast of Boise. The aircraft came together and then stuck together before pitching vertical in what looked like the beginning of a falling leaf maneuver. Then gravity took over and it wasn’t until the aircraft began their uncontrolled descent that the four crew members ejected virtually simultaneously.
EA-18 Growler crash at KMUO
by u/b788_ in aviation
Although commentators in some media accounts have said the crews appeared to delay their ejections until it was safe, it appears that all four pulled the handle as soon as possible after contact. The slight delay before their seats cleared the tangled airframes was to allow the canopies to be blown by the explosive cords embedded in them. You can see the flashes in the canopies in the accompanying video before the big flashes of the seats blowing clear. The lower aircraft appears to be offset by less than 10 feet but enough that the ejection seats were able to get by the plane above them.
BREAKING: Two U.S. Navy jets collided mid-air and exploded during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base. pic.twitter.com/R66ADWM2TY
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 17, 2026
I’m happy that the crews were able to eject and are safe.
Offhand, I’d say this’ll greatly impact military participation in civilian airshows. Further, I’m wondering why Growlers are being flown in airshows vs. regular F-18’s?
Probably because Whidbey Island is a lot closer to MUO than Lemoore.
That video is real ugly. Looks like wingman lost sight of lead in a turn and didn’t break out. Very bad juju.
SAME applied to the B-17 / P-39 midair at the airshow last year.
It appears that all four crew members punched out downward when the planes were inverted. It is pretty amazing that all four chutes successfully opened and that the guys were not impacted by the falling planes and debris. Not sure if it was quick thinking or good luck, but I’m glad they landed safely.
Glad the crews survived, technology worked perfectly.