Two fighter jets collided midair during a demonstration event in the northwestern state of Idaho, with the pilots parachuting to safety from the aircraft, United States media reported.

A statement posted to the Gunfighter Skies Air Show’s website confirmed: “An aircraft incident has occurred at Mountain Home Air Force Base” about “two miles northwest of the base”.

“Emergency responders are on the scene, an investigation is underway and more details will be released as they become available,” the statement said.

CBS News local affiliate KOMO reported all four crew members ejected safely from the Navy’s two EA-18 Growler fighter jets.

Video shared on social media showed the jets colliding and tumbling through the air before crashing to the ground, causing an explosion and a huge plume of black smoke, as four parachutes drift downwards.

Commander Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for the Naval Air Forces US Pacific Fleet, told KOMO that the EA 18-G Growler jets are based in Whidbey Island, Washington.

NBC News reported that the crash resulted in the airshow’s cancellation and a lockdown on the base as emergency responders handled the scene and began an investigation.

An attempt to contact the base for comment was not immediately successful.

- AFP