Midair collision between two jets at air show prompts Idaho Air Force base lockdown
"All four of the air crew successfully ejected," the U.S. Navy said.
Mountain Home Air Force Base outside of Boise, Idaho, was locked down Sunday afternoon after two U.S. Navy jets performing at an air show crashed in midair, according to authorities and bystander video of the incident.
"An aircraft incident has occurred at Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show two miles northwest of the base," base officials posted online Sunday, adding that emergency responders were on the scene and an investigation was underway.
The two Navy EA-18 Growler jets based in Whidbey Island, Washington, collided in midair, according to a Navy spokesperson.
"All four of the air crew successfully ejected and they are being evaluated by medical personnel," said Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for the Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, in a statement.
Umayam said the crash occurred around 12:10 p.m. MDT while the crews were performing an aerial demonstration.
The two jets involved in the crash were assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron at Whidbey Island, Umayam further said, adding that the cause of the crash is under investigation.
A bystander video of the incident captured two jets flying near each other when they collided in midair. As the two planes plummeted to the ground, four parachutes appeared to deploy.
A plume of black smoke is seen in the footage as the jets crashed to the ground and exploded.
The air show was cancelled immediately after the crash, according to a post from the Mountain Home Police Department, which further advised spectators not to travel to the Air Force base.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.