Idaho air show crash: How 4 US navy pilots survived a deadly mid-air fighter jet collision

The Sunday (May 17) Gunfighter Air Show in the skies, which turned into an extraordinarily rare mid-air disaster, was the first one held after eight years. Two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided mid-air during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

Before the aircraft exploded on impact, four parachutes were seen deployed in the video, ejecting the crews. All four pilots of two US Navy fighter aircraft were safely ejected, authorities confirmed, the Idaho Statesman reported.

The cause of the deadly mid-air collision remains under investigation.

We take a closer look.

What happened?

It was an aerial demonstration by two US Navy EA-18G Growlers at the air show when the collision occurred. The jets were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 from Whidbey Island, Washington. The crash took place around 12:10 local time.

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Videos filmed by spectators show two fighter jets flying close together, then appearing to make contact, before spinning toward the ground in a fiery crash while still tangled together.

When a safe escape seemed impossible, the four pilots were safely ejected from the aircraft moments after the disaster struck. "We had four good parachutes,” an air show announcer said, according to the news outlet.

The Mountain Home Police Department issued a notice saying that the air show was cancelled and warned people not to travel to the crash area, Reuters reported.

The organisers later announced on social media that the rest of the air show had been cancelled. "We are working on a plan to safely allow guests to exit the base as soon as possible," the statement said.

How pilots survived the horrific jet collision

According to the now-circulated video of the collision, the jets are flying close together, then make contact and spiral towards the ground, releasing black plumes of smoke. Seconds before the deadly crash, four parachutes opened in the sky, leading to the safe ejection of the pilots of both jets in a dramatic escape.

The aircraft then crashed near the base, turning into a huge fireball, and thick black smoke filled the sky.

According to aviation experts, the way the aircraft collided has given the crews a rare opportunity to escape.

Jeff Guzzetti, a former aviation safety investigator, noted that in mid-air collision situations, pilots often do not have enough time to eject safely.

“It’s really striking to see. It looks like they struck each other in a very unique fashion to cause them to remain intact and kind of stick to each other, and that very well could have saved them," Guzzetti told the Associated Press (AP).

In the videos, the two aircraft appear to descend together for a short period of time before the pilots are ejected. Guzzetti argued that the collision occurred in a way that kept both jets controllable for a few extra moments, allowing the aviators to react swiftly.

John Cox, another aviation expert, pointed to the extreme precision of air shows.

“Air show flying is demanding. It has very little tolerance. The people who do it are very good, and it’s a small margin for error. I'm glad that everybody was able to get out," said Cox, Times of India (TOI) reported.

What is the Gunfighter Skies Air Show?

The 366th Fighter Wing is stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, located roughly 50 miles south of Boise, Idaho.

According to the news release, the event featured aerial demonstrations, static aircraft displays, and interactive exhibits focused on history as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The Gunfighter Skies was being organised for weeks in advance. It was hailed as the much and long-awaited return of the air show to Mountain Home for the first time in eight years.

Colonel David Ray Gunter, commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, said, "The Gunfighters are proud to open our gates and share our mission with the community we call home. "This event attaches a face to the mission, showcasing the skilled professionals and dedicated airmen who make airpower possible," ABC News reported.

However, it is pertinent to note that this is not the first aviation incident in the base's recent history.

During an air show in 2018, Gunfighter Skies claimed the life of a hang glider pilot. In 2003, an Air Force Thunderbird jet crashed; however, the pilot managed to eject safely, according to reports.

With inputs from agencies