Four aviators eject, survive Navy jets’ air show collision

The crew members of two U.S. Navy EA18-G Growler jets were in stable condition on Sunday after the aircraft collided midair during an air show, according to the show’s organizers. First responders said some crew members were injured, but their injuries were not life-threatening. The incident occurred during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

Video footage shared on social media showed the jets colliding during a near pass, then dropping rapidly while stuck together. Four parachutes popped out of the falling aircraft as crew members ejected, with the jets hitting the ground in a burst of fire and smoke.

The crashed jets were from a squadron stationed in Whidbey Island, Wash., according to the Associated Press. They cost roughly $67 million each and contained advanced electronic warfare systems capable of disrupting enemy radar and communications, according to Naval Air Systems Command.

Federal authorities were investigating why the crash occurred, according to Mountain Home Mayor Rich Sykes. No spectators were injured, he said. Several roads near the crash site remained closed during the investigation, he said.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on a recent medical plane crash in New Mexico.