E/A-18's Collide at Air Show in Idaho

Now that's a weird one, almost like they're stuck together post-collision, though that might be perspective. The best part though: 4 chutes, that is good to see!

EDIT: Especially if the two aircraft really were all tangled up - twin-seaters do have their own ejection seats set up to take slightly different trajectories for deconfliction, but there are certainly no such provisions between separate ships!
 
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As of 2026, the U.S. Navy will have approximately 150–153 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft in active service.

The typical readiness rate for this type of fleet is usually around 60–80%. (The collision of the two Growlers mentioned in the post is a rare loss and will not significantly change the overall inventory.)
 
Amazing footage and unique case here.

Honestly, the entanglement could have been worse for the aircraft on the bottom and hinder ejection of the crew.
Good ridence things went well.
 
Glad they are all safe. Incredible footage to say the least.

All of them hanging in their chute at close proximity of each others with a burning inferno below could have gone catastrophic as well.
 
More info:

"The kinematics of the mid-air collision are almost incredible. The video of the incident appears to show the two EA-18G Growlers coming into very close proximity during the display. As they converge, the lead aircraft appears to turn, resulting in apparent contact. Both aircraft then seem to pitch up or abruptly increase their angle of attack. The jets subsequently appear to depart controlled flight and begin losing altitude, looking almost entangled for a moment, although this impression may be partly due to lens compression, perspective and video distortion. Shortly afterward, the crew members eject."

See:

https://theaviationist.com/2026/05/17/growler-demo-team-collision/
 
Sounded windy…maybe something coming off the mountains in the background?
 
publiusr said:
Sounded windy…maybe something coming off the mountains in the background?
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Mountain Home AFH is about 100 miles from the mountains to north, and more than that to the south.

It's in a big old river drainage that's aligned with the prevailing winds. Average wind speed there is about 20 knots.
 
Wondering how much automation is involved with the ejection. There'll be a delay between the canopy and the seat ejection obviously but is there any effort to adjust the delay based on conditions, airspeed for example? Is there a system which tries to determine if the space above is clear for the seat to eject into?
 
Looks as if the wingman got behind and above the lead, so that the pilot couldn't see the lead. How come?
 
No idea Kilotonage, that will be one thing that the investigators will have to look into. Though it is good news that all the crew's managed to eject before the planes crashed.
 
Kiltonge said:
Why is (was) there a Growler demo team, anyway?
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Growler without pods isn't especially more expensive than F bug I think?

But they're big chunk of the fleet and maneuver equally well...
 
I think the big thing looking forward is remembering that 80% of Aviation mishaps are from human factors. I am choosing to keep my comments to a minimum for the families sake. Hope the NAEB and NFOEB goes well.
 
I never thought I'd see a live action re-enactment of the end of the Space Dandy episode of "A Race In Space Is Dangerous, Baby."

Below decks is one thing...but no slamming into behinds at 5,000 ft. AGL...

...and you still have to call me "sir" in the morning...
 
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Kiltonge said:
Why is (was) there a Growler demo team, anyway?
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The aviationist article dumpster4 linked does say at least this much about that,

dumpster4 said:
See:
https://theaviationist.com/2026/05/17/growler-demo-team-collision/
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The U.S. Navy stood up the EA-18G Growler Demo Team at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in 2020. The team is made up of crews and aircraft from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), also known as “Vikings”, which is the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) that is in charge of the training of all naval aviators that will fly the Boeing EA-18G Growler.

“While VAQ-129 has always been focused on training Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force aircrew, today our student body includes our Royal Australian Air Force partners. Our instructor staff includes aircrew from the Royal Australian Air Force, the British Royal Air Force, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and the United States Marine Corps”.
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And Mountain Home is still home to a big Composite unit with B-1s, Strike Eagles, and lord only knows what else.

So that unit would be a very likely customer for Growler support.
 

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