According to NBC News, the incident took place northwest of the airport located at Mountain Home Air Force Base in the USA. Witness recordings showed the moment of collision, after which the machines fell in flames, raising black clouds of smoke.
The videos showed four parachutes opening, suggesting the pilots managed to eject.
One witness told NBC News: “I turned around and saw four parachutes coming down and then there was black smoke,” the witness said.
The same person added that participants could not leave the airport. However, the atmosphere among the spectators was calm, even though many of them were military families. Mountain Home police announced the cancellation of the rest of the show and asked residents to stay away from the base.
On Saturday, the organizers praised the first part of the event, writing that the day was “full of unforgettable moments.” However, the collision interrupted the second day of shows and triggered safety procedures. The base confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the causes of the accident.
The Gunfighter Skies air show resumed this year after an eight-year hiatus after a pilot died in an accident during the event in 2018.
