Pilots parachute from jets after mid-flight collision at US air show

A mid-air collision between two fighter jets at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show in Idaho has led to the cancellation of the event and prompted an investigation. The incident occurred on Monday, May 18, 2026, over the Mountain Home Air Force Base, involving two EA-18G Growler jets.

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More details will be released as they become available.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing four parachutes deployed following the collision, indicating that the pilots ejected safely. Emergency responders were immediately on the scene, and the air show organizers confirmed that the aircrew involved were in stable condition. A fire resulting from the crash was also contained.

The Gunfighter Skies Air Show was a highly anticipated event, marking the return of such displays to Mountain Home Air Force Base after an eight-year hiatus. Organizers had promoted it as an opportunity to showcase the mission and the skilled professionals of the base. However, the tragic event has cast a shadow over the festivities, leading to its cancellation and a thorough investigation into the cause of the mid-air crash.

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We are working on a plan to safely allow guests to exit [the] base as soon as possible.

This incident is not the first aviation-related fatality at the base, as aerobatic pilot Dan Buchanan died in a crash during an air show in 2018. The investigation will aim to determine the factors that led to this latest collision and ensure such events are prevented in the future.

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The Gunfighters are proud to open our gates and share our mission with the community we call home. This event attaches a face to the mission, showcasing the skilled professionals and dedicated airmen who make airpower possible.