Looks like the two worst blind spots came into perfect alignment. Directly below for the top plane and in between the tail of the bottom plane.
_____________________________ Pledge allegiance or pack your bag! The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. - Margaret Thatcher Spread my work ethic, not my wealth
May 18, 2026, 06:02 AM
clubleaf206
quote:
So, the top/rear jet was supposed to “rejoin” the other one from below instead of from above, the position from which he’s blind of the forward jet. Question now is, why did he do what he wasn’t supposed to do. Guess we will find out in the coming days/weeks.
Exactly, the wingman rejoined incorrectly. But, as Patriot points out, the two worst blind spots for the respective aircraft come into play.
___________________________________________________________________________ "....imitate the action of the Tiger."
May 18, 2026, 07:35 AM
sigfreund
The question of why aircrews don’t have steerable parachutes was raised and discussed at some length in another thread. I guess we can expect it to be asked every time there is an incident like this.
“I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma.” — The Wizard of Oz
May 18, 2026, 07:53 AM
SIG4EVA
Its miraculous that they were all able to eject while the jets were attached.
SIG556 Classic P220 Carry SAS Gen 2 SAO SP2022 9mm German Triple Serial P938 SAS P365 FDE P322 FDE
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"
May 18, 2026, 11:07 AM
V-Tail
quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund:
How about if we just don’t have military aircraft trying to impress the crowds at airshows?
Good point. I do not see any value in this type of flying. What is gained by this high risk activity?
הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
May 18, 2026, 11:10 AM
TMats
This from a site called, Aviation Circle
quote:
Yesterday, two US Navy EA-18G Growlers collided mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. All four crew members survived. Today, we know exactly what saved them.
In a statement posted on social media, Martin-Baker, the British company that manufactures ejection seats for the US Navy and most of the world's air forces, confirmed that all four crew members ejected safely using the Martin-Baker US14A ejection seat, known to the US Navy as NACES (Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat).
With yesterday's four ejections, Martin-Baker has now saved 7,820 lives since the company's first successful ejection back in 1946.
The two aircraft involved were from the US Navy's VAQ-129 "Vikings," the training squadron based at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington State that trains all US Navy Growler aircrews. Because the EA-18G is a two-seat aircraft, each plane carried a pilot and an electronic warfare officer.
The Martin-Baker US14A NACES has been in service since 1992 and is fitted to the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and T-45 Goshawk trainer. Approximately 2,400 seats are currently in active service. According to Martin-Baker and the US Navy, the NACES has a 100% success rate for ejections within the ejection envelope.
_______________________________________________________ despite them
May 18, 2026, 11:21 AM
sigmonkey
Welcome to the Club, boys!
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד
May 18, 2026, 11:36 AM
Doc H.
As a former Gunfighter, glad to see all ejected safely. It's a small and close-knit community. Some of the F-111A CEM bailouts didn't have such a happy ending. There are worse (or more complex) systems than a simple parachute, although the CEM working as advertised undoubtedly saved lives.
"And gentlemen in England now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day"
May 18, 2026, 11:37 AM
FiveFiveSixFan
^^^^
That seems to be a pretty big club.
quote:
With yesterday's four ejections, Martin-Baker has now saved 7,820 lives since the company's first successful ejection back in 1946.
May 18, 2026, 12:13 PM
abnmacv
We need our military aircraft to deal with the hostile world. Air shows should be phased out.
U.S. Army 11F4P Vietnam 69-70 NRA Life Member
May 18, 2026, 12:36 PM
sourdough44
quote:
Originally posted by abnmacv: We need our military aircraft to deal with the hostile world. Air shows should be phased out.
I think phased out is a little extreme, but I can see restrictions on the type of maneuvers performed. Think of the profiles done by the blue angels & Thunderbirds, with months & months of detailed training. Even with that, things happen.
I wonder in adrenaline contributed, over decades we’ve had military & civilian aircraft auger in at airshows, even flying over a buddy’s house or an audience on departure.
Very simply put, -2’s main priority is to keep sight of & not hit the lead.
May 18, 2026, 12:53 PM
chellim1
quote:
Originally posted by sourdough44:
quote:
Originally posted by abnmacv: We need our military aircraft to deal with the hostile world. Air shows should be phased out.
I think phased out is a little extreme, but I can see restrictions on the type of maneuvers performed. Think of the profiles done by the blue angels & Thunderbirds, with months & months of detailed training. Even with that, things happen.
+1 Do what it takes to improve safety, as much as possible. The Blue Angels & Thunderbirds should not be phased out. They inspire young kids to join the military.
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown
"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor
May 18, 2026, 01:07 PM
slosig
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund:
How about if we just don’t have military aircraft trying to impress the crowds at airshows?
Good point. I do not see any value in this type of flying. What is gained by this high risk activity?
Well, when done properly (crashing likely doesn’t help), it may serve as a recruitment tool.
May 18, 2026, 04:53 PM
armored
When I attend a air show I look forward to witnessing the raw power of the screaming jet engines and a fast climb and tight turn. I don't need to see the dangerous close flying formations. A row of single planes roaring by at a low altitude does it for me. I don't like our solders lives being put in unnecessary danger for my enjoyment.
May 18, 2026, 06:12 PM
corsair
This incident reminds me of the tragic collision of the B-17 and P-63 Kingcobra at the Wings over Dallas show back in '22, where one plane drifted into the pathway of another, and the pilots didn't have visual of each other.
Mooch & Hooser give some perspective when comparing with a similar performance.
May 18, 2026, 06:44 PM
71 TRUCK
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey: Welcome to the Club, boys!
Bremont Watch Company used to make a watch only available to air crews who were ejected from an aircraft using a Martin-Baker seat. I think the watch may have been retired, I am not sure.
I have a friend who was ejected from a Naval aircraft using a Martin Baker seat. I told him about the watch, he contacted them and provided the required info and was able to purchase a watch.
The watch was called the Bremont MB1
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
NRA Life Member
May 18, 2026, 08:32 PM
mojojojo
As was mentioned, the round military parachutes do have limited steering capability. Also, being round they are able to open almost immediately (if certain interlocks are satisfied) by using a ballistic spreader which fires to deploy the canopy fully.
Icarus flew too close to the sun, but at least he flew.
