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Emergency crews rushed into action Sunday afternoon after two aircraft collided during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Idaho 6 News confirmed officials from the US Air Force stated that the incident involved a midair collision during a live aerial demonstration, abruptly halting one of the weekend’s headline performances in front of thousands of spectators gathered along the flight line.
Shortly after 1 PM, air show announcers informed the crowd that all four US Navy aviators involved in the crash had been located safely after ejecting from their aircraft. The collision occurred during a demonstration by two E/A-18G Growler jets assigned to the “Vikings” demo team. Witnesses described seeing four parachutes descending near the crash area moments after a large plume of black smoke rose into the sky north-west of the base.
Four Aircrew Members Ejected After Collision
Announcements made over the loudspeaker reassured spectators that all four parachutes had deployed successfully following the crash. One announcer explained that the crews had ejected safely and landed about a mile south of the visible smoke plume, while emergency teams moved quickly toward their location. A later update from the announcers said crash fire rescue units and additional emergency responders had been dispatched immediately after the collision.
Spectators were told that seeing four parachutes in the air was considered an encouraging sign in aviation emergencies involving military aircraft. The announcer also paused to ask attendees to keep the pilots and crew members in their prayers as rescue operations continued. People attending the air show described seeing sparks or flashes in the sky moments before smoke appeared above the airfield. One Idaho Statesman reporter at the scene said the parachutes became visible almost immediately after the collision. Emergency helicopters, fire crews, and rescue vehicles could then be seen heading toward the crash site as military personnel secured the area. The air show announcer informed guests of the incident.
“The crews were able to eject. They’re located one mile south of where the smoke is. The parachutes came down.”
Gunfighter Skies Returned for First Time Since 2018
The 2026 Gunfighter Skies air show marked the first time the event had been held in eight years. The weekend showcase attracted large crowds to Mountain Home Air Force Base, featuring military flight demonstrations, static displays, historic warbirds, and family-focused exhibits tied to aviation and military technology.
Organizers had promoted the event’s return for months, describing it as one of the region’s largest military aviation celebrations. The show also featured educational exhibits and interactive STEM activities designed to introduce visitors to careers in aviation, engineering, and aerospace technology. Spectators traveled from across Idaho and neighboring states to attend the long-awaited return of the air show.
Weather conditions on Sunday had already led organizers to cancel planned parachute performances because of strong winds in the area. That detail became especially significant after the collision, as the parachutes seen descending from the sky were immediately recognized as belonging to the ejected aircrew members rather than scheduled performers.
What’s The Best Air Show You’ve Ever Visited?
For aviation enthusiasts, there are few better days out than visiting an air show. These prestigious events provide an opportunity for members of the public to see rare and historical aircraft in action, with military planes often at the front and center of such displays. Particularly popular are those involving military aircraft display teams, such as the UK’s iconic Red Arrows.
Air shows can take various different forms, with many occurring at airports or airfields with spectators able to see the participating planes taking off before and landing after their displays, giving further insight into their performance. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to attend some of these myself, such as the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
However, my absolute favorite has been one where spectators are now located at an airfield, but, rather, along the beach. Specifically, I’ve had several enjoyable visits to the Bournemouth Air Festival, where spectators flock to the English so
Previous Air Show Accidents Still Remembered
Sunday’s crash also revived memories of earlier aviation accidents connected to events at Mountain Home Air Force Base. During the last Gunfighter Skies show in 2018, a hang glider pilot was killed in an accident that led organizers to cancel the remainder of the event.
The base is also known for a 2003 Thunderbird crash during an air show performance, when a pilot successfully ejected moments before impact. No spectators were injured in that incident, which became one of the most widely remembered aviation accidents associated with the base.
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Following Sunday’s collision, emergency operations remained active around the crash scene while investigators began gathering information about the incident. Officials have not yet released details about what caused the aircraft to collide, and military investigators are expected to review flight data, communications, maintenance records, and eyewitness video as part of the formal investigation.
