Crews eject after ‘midair collision’ at Idaho Air Force base air show

(NEXSTAR) – Four crew members were able to safely evacuate after two Navy jets collided during an air show at an Air Force base, according to authorities. Mountain Home Air Force Base, located about 55 miles southeast of Boise, was hosting its final day of the Gunfighter Skies air show when the "aircraft incident" occurred after noon local time. The base went into lockdown at around 12:30 p.m. MT. Authorities confirmed emergency crews were on scene and "an investigation is underway." The four crew members on the planes were able to eject safely, according to an announcer at the show and Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho. The crew members are being evaluated by medical personnel, according to the 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. The crash occurred off base, Sykes told The Associated Press. Photos shared with Nexstar's NewsNation appeared to show the jets as they collided. Four parachutes could also be seen nearby. The incident involved two EA-18G Growlers, a spokesperson confirmed to local outlet KTVB. Several posts on X showed black smoke rising into the sky from the apparent crash scene. Another post that appears to have video of the crash shows two aircraft colliding before four parachutes glide toward the ground as smoke rises in the background. Nexstar has not independently confirmed the validity of these posts. All remaining events for Sunday have since been canceled, Mountain Home Police reported. Authorities were initially asking guests to remain on base "to allow first responders to move in and out of place," but shortly before 3 p.m. MT, attendees were given guidance on how to exit. This is the first time in eight years that Mountain Home Air Force Base has held the air show, according to the Idaho Statesman. The Associated Press contributed to this report.