[kellyhound]

All four crew members ejected safely after two U.S. Navy electronic warfare aircraft collided in mid-air today, during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

The aircraft involved were Boeing EA-18G Growlers, the two-seat electronic attack variants derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe, assigned to the U.S. Navy's Vikings Growler Demonstration Team.

Around 1:00 p.m. local time on the second day of the public air show, the two jets made contact while executing low-speed maneuvers.

Eyewitness videos showed the aircraft appearing to interlock or overlap before losing aerodynamic control, tumbling, and crashing.

Because the EA-18G is a two-seat aircraft, a total of four naval aviators (two pilots and two electronic warfare officers) were involved.

All four successfully initiated a near-simultaneous ejection.

Air show announcers quickly confirmed to the thousands of spectators that four good parachutes were visible in the sky. All crew members were located and reported safe with minimal injuries.

The entangled planes impacted the ground and exploded in a rural area approximately two miles northwest of the base, sending a massive plume of black smoke into the air. No civilian or ground injuries were reported.

Both multi-million dollar aircraft were completely destroyed. The U.S. military has launched an official command investigation to determine whether the mid-air collision was caused by mechanical failure, environmental conditions, or pilot error.

[newjerseydeevil]

should buff right out

[William May]

If I was one of those pilots, I would just walk, whistling, back to the base, and tell everyone: "It was like the airplane wanted to be free! She wouldn't listen to me! She kicked me out, and then flew off wildly!! I guess she was just having a bad day!"

It's not like they can ask the airplane, and then it will contradict your story!

[wildaxboxer]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

If I was one of those pilots, I would just walk, whistling, back to the base, and tell everyone: "It was like the airplane wanted to be free! She wouldn't listen to me! She kicked me out, and then flew off wildly!! I guess she was just having a bad day!"

It's not like they can ask the airplane, and then it will contradict your story!

[DarkSighted]

Shouldn't fly those things during the Rut, or see what can happen. Keep in mind, as you watch, that they weigh from 24 to 33 tons each between gross/recovery/max takeoff weights. Well-built, the airframes retained integrity rather than just shredding into each other under those forces. Lucky eject timing, two pilots could've head-firsted right into the belly (chin, I guess) of the other plane.

[HIGHTECHDUDE]

Yeah, stuck the tip in the wrong hole... it happens.

[William May]

Originally Posted by DarkSighted ↗

Shouldn't fly those things during the Rut, or see what can happen. Keep in mind, as you watch, that they weigh from 24 to 33 tons each between gross/recovery/max takeoff weights. Well-built, the airframes retained integrity rather than just shredding into each other under those forces. Lucky eject timing, two pilots could've head-firsted right into the belly (chin, I guess) of the other plane.

You are right! So lucky they got 4 good ejections out of this!

[Mr.NoCredit]

Bad day at the office for those four. I’m sure glad it’s not me being responsible for a multi million dollar fuck up.

[durt]

When F-18's try to make an F-35

[Mecrupulent]

Isn't "growler" slang for "vagina" too ? 🤔