A serious mid-air collision between U.S. fighter jets at Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Gunslingers Sky air show on Sunday forced an emergency response, with aviation sources later saying both crew members ejected safely before impact. The incident occurred during the Idaho base’s first Gunners Sky event in eight years.
Reporting a mid-air collision during an air show
According to local reports, the crash occurred shortly after 12:30 pm local time while the air show was in progress. Officials at Mountain Home Air Force Base initially announced on social media that the facility had been placed on lockdown. In a later statement, the base confirmed that an “aircraft accident” had occurred.
Emergency crews were quickly dispatched to the scene and authorities began investigating the cause of the accident.
The Idaho Statesman reported that rescuers were responding to what a base spokesman called a “mid-air collision.”
Four parachutes found after collision
Eyewitness videos circulating online appear to show two military aircraft colliding in the sky, with thick smoke billowing near the crash area. Several clips shared on social media also showed the parachute descending shortly after impact.
An announcer at the air show told viewers that all four crew members had successfully ejected, local outlet KTVB reported. The announcer reportedly told viewers there were “four good parachutes.”
Video shows thick smoke billowing from near base
Multiple videos posted online appeared to capture thick black smoke rising from the area near the base after the crash. Another video circulating on X appears to show the exact moment the two planes collided, before the parachute became visible in the sky.
No official information about the injury had been released as of Sunday afternoon.
An investigation is underway at the Mountain Home base.
The cause of the collision is unknown. Mountain Home Air Force Base confirmed that first responders remained on scene while investigators examined the incident.
The base, about 55 miles southeast of Boise, is hosting the Gunners Sky air show again this year after an eight-year absence.
