Mountain Home Air Force Base near the city of Boise in the US state of Idaho was put on emergency lockdown Sunday afternoon after a horrific mid-air collision between two military planes. The incident happened during a performance of aerobatics at the popular Gunfighter Skies air show, in front of hundreds of shocked visitors.
According to the US Navy’s official statement, two advanced electronic warfare aircraft were involved in the crash EA-18 Growler. The aircraft were assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron based on Whidbey Island, Washington.
The collision occurred around 12:10 a.m. local time, while the crews were performing demanding close flight demonstrations.
Footage captured by shocked onlookers shows the dramatic seconds the planes touched in mid-air before plummeting towards the ground. In what seemed like an eternity, the seats flew out of the flare and four parachutes opened.
“All four crew members ejected successfully. All have been evacuated, are undergoing medical evaluation and are in stable condition,” the commander confirmed. Amelia Umayama spokeswoman for the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet.
Seconds after ejecting, the planes hit the ground, resulting in a violent explosion and a huge plume of black smoke covering the air base.
The air show was interrupted and canceled immediately after the accident, and the police department Mountain Home she appealed to the citizens not to approach the base and to avoid the surrounding roads so that the emergency services could operate unhindered. The cause of this serious accident is still unknown, and an official military investigation has already been launched.
(TYPE/Source: N1/Photo: ABC)
