A midair collision occurred Sunday between two Navy F/A-18 fighter jets at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Four deployed parachutes were seen in a video recorded at the base, and the naval pilots are reported to be safe.
The base locked down after the collision, and officials said an investigation into the incident is underway, according to the Mountain Home Air Force Base Gunfighters Facebook page.
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Col. David R. Gunter confirmed in a statement late Sunday night that “everyone involved in today’s incident is safe” and that the base appreciates the guests’ patience and support.
“The extraordinary professionalism of our emergency response teams, including the city and county, allowed for quick response to the aircrew as well as securing the scene to ensure the safety of our guests, performers and community,” Gunter said.
An air announcer told the crowd at the event that the crews were found safe after ejecting successfully and were spotted a mile south of where the smoke was, according to the Idaho Statesman. A helicopter was sent as part of the emergency response, along with the crash fire crew and additional emergency services.
The fighter jets are EA-18G Growlers that were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 from Whidbey Island, Washington, Cmdr. Amelia Umayam told CBS News.
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Online videos show the four parachutes opening in the sky after the two planes became tangled, then descending toward the ground.
When the air show was last held in 2018, a glider pilot died in an accident.
