Two E/A-18G Growlers Crash After Mid-Air Collision at Gunfighter Skies Air Show
Two U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growlers were involved in a mid-air collision Sunday, May 17th at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The Growlers, being flown by the U.S. Navy Growler Airshow Team, were conducting an aerial demonstration during Sunday’s air show when they collided in mid-air.
Footage seen on social media of the mid-air collision show two E/A-18G Growlers colliding before becoming entangled and falling to the ground, engulfed in a plume of black smoke. The good news is in the video, four parachutes are seen deployed following ejections from both aircraft, and four crews members have been recovered by emergency personnel. The condition of the crew members is unknown at this time, and this post will be updated as we learn more.
Following the incident, Mountain Home Air Force Base was locked down, and everyone in attendance were asked to shelter in place until further notice. Shortly after, Mountain Home Air Force Base Public Affairs released the following statement:
“An aircraft incident has occurred at Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Gunfighter Skies Air show two miles northwest of the base. Emergency responders are on the scene, an investigation is underway and more details will be released as they become available.”
The rest of Sunday’s Gunfighter Skies Air Show has been canceled as emergency responders continue to work the scene.
The U.S. Navy Growler Airshow Team was making their first appearance of 2026 this weekend in Mountain Home, Idaho, and were scheduled to perform at four air shows this season.The collision has been reported to have involved the following two aircraft:
E/A-18G 168895 “NJ-502”
E/A-18G 168252 “NJ-540”
For the latest regarding this developing story, be sure to stay tuned to our website and social media.
