Fighter jets crash mid-air in huge plume of smoke as four pilots involved

The mid-air crash happened during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, with emergency crews rushing to the scene shortly after the incident

A mid-air collision at a US air show has sent a massive plume of black smoke spiralling into the sky, with onlookers reporting they spotted four parachutes moments following the incident. The crash occurred during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

The event features military and civilian aircraft carrying out aerial displays and demonstrations. Authorities confirmed the collision took place roughly two miles north-west of the base, where emergency teams raced to the scene shortly after 12:30pm local time.

Base spokesman Antwain Hanks verified the crash to the Idaho Statesman. An air show commentator revealed that crews aboard the aircraft managed to eject, the publication reported.

“We had four good parachutes,” the announcer informed the crowd.

“The crews were able to eject. They’re located one mile south of where the smoke is. The parachutes came down.”, reports the Mirror.

A subsequent announcement confirmed that fire rescue and various other emergency services were heading to the pilots and crew.

“There were four good parachutes,” it stated. “That is always a positive in our world. If you are so inclined to take the time now to say a prayer.”

One eyewitness described seeing sparks in the air followed by a cloud of smoke before the parachutes emerged.

The collision happened during the first Gunfighter Skies show in eight years. The previous event, staged in 2018, saw a hang glider pilot fatally injured in an accident.