Video Shows Pilots Ejecting in Crucial Seconds After 2 Jets Crash Mid-Air at Celebration of America’s 250th Birthday
Four crew members, including the pilots, deployed their parachutes after the two fighter jets collided during near an Air Force Base in Idaho
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NEED TO KNOW
- The Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho was forced to lock down after two Navy Super Hornet fighter jets collided mid-air during the Gunfighters Air Show
- Dramatic video shows the jets entangled before crashing into the runway, creating a massive fireball and smoke
- The video also shows four crew members, including the pilots, ejecting and deploying their parachutes
An Air Force base in Idaho was forced to lock down after two jets collided mid-air during an air show.
According to officials in Mountain Home — located about 45 miles outside Boise — two aircrafts that were taking part in the Gunfighters Air Show near the Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday, May 17, crashed into each other mid-air.
The two jets — which appeared to be Navy Super Hornet fighters — then smashed into the runway. According to KTVB, a loud bang was heard by the event’s attendees, and a massive plume of smoke erupted from the aircrafts.
The base, home to the U.S. Air Force’s 366th Fighter Wing, announced on social media that it would be entering lockdown: “Emergency Responders are on the scene, an investigation is underway and more details will be released as they become available,” the base said.
Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped to plan the air show celebrating America’s 250th birthday, told the Associated Press all four of the crew members, including the pilots, from the jets ejected safely and deployed their parachutes to reach the ground.
Sykes told the outlet that the crash occurred off base, and she did not witness the crash firsthand.
Video of the dramatic incident shows the two fighter jets crash into one another before spinning toward the ground, as large black plumes of smoke are visible. The crew members’ parachutes could be seen deploying immediately after the crash.
The AP reported that there was good visibility and winds gusting up to 29 mph during the time of the crash.
The Mountain Home Police Department announced later on Sunday that the show was canceled and warned the public to avoid the military base.
“Please DO NOT travel to or attempt to access Mountain Home Air Force Base as a spectator, as the event will no longer be taking place,” police wrote on Facebook. “We understand many were looking forward to this event and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.”
