Two EA-18G Growlers from the Growler Demo Team collide mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. All four crew members were ejected.
Two EA-18G Growlers from the Growler Demonstration Team of VAQ-129 “Vikings” crashed after being involved in a mid-air collision during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Video that appears to show the incident shows four crew members from both aircraft ejecting.
Two E/A-18G Growlers from the VAQ-129 Growler Demonstration Team were reported to have collided today during the Gunfighter Sky Air Show at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Both crew members reportedly escaped safely. pic.twitter.com/k5SWJ9mz1u
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) May 17, 2026
Photographer Shane Odgen captured the entire sequence of the crash and subsequent ejection. He posted the video on Facebook, where it later went viral online.
Here’s a video of a mid-air collision between a Navy Super Hornet/Growler pair at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show held a while ago at Mountain Home Air Force Base. pic.twitter.com/yQqPavmSWk
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) May 17, 2026
The kinematics of mid-air collisions are almost unbelievable. Video of the incident shows two EA-18G Growlers getting very close during the display. As they converge, the lead aircraft appears to rotate and apparent contact occurs. Both aircraft appear to increase or suddenly increase their angle of attack. The jet then leaves controlled flight and begins to lose altitude, appearing almost tangled for a moment, although this impression may be due in part to lens compression, perspective, and video distortion. Soon after, the crew leaves.
A series of photos show the two Growlers and their crew shortly after their escape.
Photo sequence immediately after ejection. Our good friend Henk Zuurbier was at the show today at Mountain Home AFB, ID. wow! pic.twitter.com/7I9LaoxyLr
— RampCheck Aviation (@rampcheckglobal) May 17, 2026
We took a screenshot of the ejection sequence from a video shot by Shane Ogden. The jet was tangled up in the ground. The crew of the lower jet was incredibly lucky because the upper jet was not directly above the canopy. This could have ended much worse… pic.twitter.com/D924hbrqpG
— RampCheck Aviation (@rampcheckglobal) May 17, 2026
The two aircraft were identified as EA-18G 168895 “NJ-502” and EA-18G 168252 “NJ-540”.
The crash appears to involve EA-18G 168895 “NJ-502” and EA-18G 168252 “NJ-540”.#AE53C5 / #AE2F0D https://t.co/JYtk4cnIaC
— Nick ✈︎ (@N214WN) May 17, 2026
Mid-air collision of two US Navy EA-18G Growlers (BuNo 168252 and 168895). A steel ball, the crew waited about 5 seconds before releasing it! https://t.co/Gni9miqP2D pic.twitter.com/Ll2l774AUW
— Military Watch (@MarcinRogowsk14) May 17, 2026
After the incident, which occurred two miles northwest of the base, the air show was suspended and other events were canceled.
The U.S. Navy established the EA-18G Growler Demonstration Team at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in 2020. The team is comprised of crews and aircraft from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), also known as “Vikings,” a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) responsible for training all naval aviators to fly the Boeing EA-18G Growler.
“VAQ-129 has always focused on training Navy, Marine and Air Force aircrews, but today our student body includes our Royal Australian Air Force partners. Our instructor staff includes aircrews from the Royal Australian Air Force, British Royal Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps.”
According to the official website, until today’s incident, Viking had 55 EA-18G Growler aircraft in its fleet.
This is a developing story, we will update as more details become available.
