All four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided and crashed on Sunday during an Idaho Air Show, officials said. The collision involved two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington, according to Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Two Navy Growler Jets Collide and Crash at Idaho Air Show
The aircraft were performing an aerial demonstration when the crash happened, Umayam stated. The four crew members from both jets successfully ejected, and the crash is under investigation, she added. Base officials reported that the crew members were in stable condition.
The base announced on social media that it was locked down immediately after the crash, and the rest of the air show was canceled. Videos shared online by spectators showed four parachutes opening in the sky as the aircraft plummeted to the ground near the base, about 50 miles (80 kms) south of Boise.
Crews ejected safely
The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare systems. Shane Ogden, who was filming the two jets, captured a video showing them coming close together.
The footage reveals the two aircraft appearing to make contact and then spinning together as the crew members ejected and their parachutes opened. The planes then fell together, exploding in a fireball upon impact as the crew members floated to the ground nearby.
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