A dramatic incident occurred at a US air show when two US Navy jets collided mid-air, causing a large plume of smoke to rise. Fortunately, all four crew members ejected safely in time to escape.
The incident took place during the "Gunfighter Skies Air Show" held at Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho, United States. Rescue teams and emergency personnel promptly responded to the scene following the accident.
Kim Sikes, marketing director of the "Silver Wings of Idaho" group involved in organizing the event, revealed that all four crew members from the two jets ejected safely. The crash site was outside the base's boundaries.
Sikes stated she did not witness the collision directly but noticed a large plume of smoke shortly after the accident.
Mountain Home Air Force Base posted on social media that the base was temporarily locked down following the mid-air collision at the air show. They confirmed that rescue teams had accessed the area and an investigation into the cause was underway.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the two jets collide in mid-air before crashing to the ground. Online videos show four parachutes deployed in the sky as the jets plunged near the base, located about 80 kilometers south of Boise.
Additionally, a fire ignited at the crash site due to the impact, and flames continued to burn in the initial period following the accident.
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show is a popular aviation event featuring aerobatics, parachuting, and displays of modern military capabilities. This year’s highlight included the US Air Force’s famous Thunderbirds aerobatic team performing over both days.
The US National Weather Service reported that weather conditions at the time were fairly clear, though there were gusty winds up to approximately 47 kilometers per hour, which may be among the factors officials are investigating further.
/source:Los Angeles Times
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