(Courtesy Daniel Strauss) Within a minute or two they were putting water on the fire, Westra added. The truck continued forward, and there was an explosion on the back of the truck, likely caused by tire debris and possibly a fuel tank rupture. We are so sad, Neal Darnell wrote in a Facebook post Saturday evening. The driver of a truck powered by jet engines was killed during a high-speed accident in front of spectators at an air show in Michigan, police and relatives said Sunday. One person is dead following an explosion during a jet-fueled semitruck pyrotechnic performance Saturday at Battle Creek Executive Airport. Funeral arrangements will be announced sometime next week, Neal Darnell said. He was 'living the dream' as he said.". The accident happened Saturday during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. Neal Darnell said he will continue to provide updates as the Shockwave and Flash Fire Jet Trucks team gets them. His passion for putting on the best show possible for the fans, and for engaging with them, was clear. Jet Truck Crash SHOCKWAVE DISASTER at Great New England Airshow 2008 - YouTube 0:00 / 2:02 Jet Truck Crash SHOCKWAVE DISASTER at Great New England Airshow 2008 Oliver Porter 3.37K subscribers. LANSING, Mich. (AP) The father of the jet engine-powered semitruck driver who died during a performance at a southwestern Michigan air show said Tuesday that the truck burst into flames after a blown tire ruptured the fuel tank. The Today show reported, According to Darnell's family, one of the truck's tires blew out and caused the vehicle to skid and for the gas tanks to burst.". Local police and the FAA are investigating the accident. Another video shows a parachute deploying behind the truck right before the crash. For more information on SHOCKWAVE Jet Trucks, youll find a link to their website, HERE, or you can visit their Facebook Page, HERE. 2 min read. a custom-built semitruck equipped with three jet engines, Darnells father, Neal Darnell, confirmed his youngest son had died. (Courtesy. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. . He was Living the dream, as he said.. Jan 2023 blancolirio RedAir MD-82 Gear Collapse. She is a private pilot who enjoys flying her 1969 Cessna 182 and taking aerial photographs. Most people dont like their jobs. Around 1:10 p.m., Darnell was driving a Shockwave Jet Truck 300 mph down a runway at the Battle Creek Executive Airport for a performance Saturday, July 2 when the fatal accident occurred,. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. The. On Saturday, that show, at least the one using the Shockwave, came to a tragic end in a matter of seconds when the jet truck crashed on a runway at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Battle Creek Police have confirmed that the victim in Saturday's fiery Shockwave Jet Truck crash at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon . Darnells father, Neal Darnell is a native of Picher, Okla. released a statement Saturday evening: BCPD state the Battle Creek Fire Department, Battle Creek Police Department, and Federal Aviation Administration were on scene investigating. Airshow performances were canceled for the remainder of the day, but resumed July 3 with a number of tributes to Darnell. The accident happened Saturday during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. We are still missing Chris and SHOCKWAVE but you'll see Mark Smith in AFTERSHOCK, our Twin Engine Jet Fire Truck plus see our Flash Fire Dodge Jet Truck along with Hayden Profitt in his awesome Twin Engine HOT STREAK Jet Truck. (NCD) Video from an audience member shows the truck catching fire before flipping down the runway at Battle Creek Executive Airport. AirshowStuff reported the July 3 show opened with a missing man formation over a gathering of airshow performers and crewmembers. It happened so quick and just not something you would expect., She said at the first they delayed the show, but a few hours later they announced the cancelation for respect and because they were still investigating the crash.. Shockwave jet truck suffers a malfunction during a high speed pass and crashes at Field of Flight air show, Battle Creek, Michigan (July 2nd, 2022) . The custom-built race truck was powered by three J-34-48 Pratt & Whitney jet engines that produced a combined 36,000 horsepower and 21,000 pounds of thrust, which allowed it to travel at speeds of more than 300 miles per hour. Chris Darnell, 40, the driver of the truck, was identified as the deceased. The Shockwave Jet Truck accident rocked auto enthusiasts around the world, and the fatal nature of this crash has left families and fans grieving (1). Darnell was killed when the truck crashed at the Battle Creek . Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. At the time, the crash was . Video: 40-year-old driver dies in Michigan airshow after truck catches on fire . Just one month ago Chris turned 40. Shockwave Jet Truck driver dies in Michigan air show accident July 3, 2022, 7:06 AM The crash took place during the show's pyrotechnic portion when planned explosions were going off.. Darnell, a 40-year-old married father of. 1, 2 On the 2nd of July, 2022, at an air show in Battle Creek, Michigan, a jet-powered stunt truck lost control and crashed, sadly killing. Father: Blown tire caused Shockwave fatal blast. Chris Darnell, 40, died in the accident Saturday that happened during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight . eMedia Content Producer Niki Britton joined AOPA in 2021. He was also the owner of a truck accessory company, 4 Wheel Customs, and shared driving duties with his father, Neal Darnell, in both the Flash Fire and SHOCKWAVE Jet Trucks. Shockwave Jet Truck driver Chris Darnell, 40, died Saturday during a fiery crash at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. We won't share it with anyone else. The accident occurred on July 2nd in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the truck was speeding down a runway at the Battle Creek Executive Airport, while two aircraft were performing low-flying aerial stunts, just above the truck. Witnesses say the Shockwave jet truck was racing two planes that were going 300 mph. A thick plume of black smoke and fire seen in the videos were part of the shows pyrotechnic display and not related to the accident, Westra told CNN. Summit Motorsports in a release of information, Inaddition to being a son, brother, husband and father, Chris was a popular entertainer. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Jet truck driver, 40, dies in Battle Creek air show accident. In a release, police said that as Darnell drove his Shockwave Jet Truck down the Battle Creek Executive Airport runway at speeds of 340 mph, a piece of tire debris could be seen flying off the. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Invalid password or account does not exist. "We are so sad. Pre-planned pyrotechnicexplosion on runway at air show. Emergency responders were at the airport on standby and quickly responded, Westra said. AP The father of the jet engine-powered semitruck driver killed during a performance at a southwestern Michigan air show is blaming the explosion on a mechanical failure. The chain-reaction likely started when a rear tire was blown out seconds after the jet-powered truck launched down the runway, said Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker. Chris loved his job. All rights reserved. Summit Motorsports offers it sincere condolences to Chris family and team.. The Shockwave Jet Truck caught fire and crashed during a race against two planes at the Field of Flight airshow in Battle Creek, Mich. on July 2, leaving one person dead. Chris Darnell, 40, died in the accident Saturday that happened during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. He was so well loved by everyone who knew him. 2023 Cable News Network. He worked with major music artists for 20 years, garnering gold and platinum records to his credit. The team, which includes his fatherNeal Darnell, is based in Springfield, Missouri. Chris loved his job. We anticipate more information to be release me this evening from authorities. The accident is under investigation. Just one month ago Chris turned 40. Videos shared on social media captured. Voters to decide Aug. 2 on renewing dedicated veterans millage for Kent County. The accident reportedly involved a jet-fueled truck exploding Saturday at the Field of Flight air show and balloon festival in Battle Creek, Michigan. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. He holds a bachelors degree in mass communications from Missouri Southern State University (1994). Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. the Shockwave truck feature three Pratt . Chris Darnell, driver of the SHOCKWAVE Jet Truck, died last Saturday, July 2 after an accident during a demonstration at an airshow in Battle Creek, Michigan. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. They also inspected the airfieldimmediately after the accident, finding broken runway lights and ruts in the grass caused by the crash. There was a problem saving your notification. Most people dont like their jobs. Shockwave Jet Truck crashes at Air Show, driver killed KOAM News Now 6.18K subscribers Subscribe 2.2K Share 478K views 7 months ago Courtesy Elizabeth Matthews Don't forget to subscribe to this. Horror footage shows the moment the vehicle exploded in front of shocked onlookers at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show in Michigan on Saturday. The incident caused the death of the driver, 40-year-old Chris Darnell, according to the City of Battle Creek. There was a problem saving your notification. Shockwave, the legendary jet truck, crashes and claims life of driver Chris Darnell Steven Cole Smith 05 July 2022 Facebook/Shockwave Jet Truck & Flash Fire Jet Trucks There was a big party for Chris Darnell on his birthday a month ago; he got a pair of snarling new boots with a red and white shark's mouth full of teeth stitched to the side. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Special Olympics comes to Pittsburg for basketball, Biden acknowledges White Lotus star is most famous, Ryan McFarland speaks on accepting the Webb City, Galenas Beau Sarwinski steps away from head coaching, Small town brewery in Missouri best in the state. At least one person was killed when one of the most popular airshow attractions on the circuit, Shockwave, an old semitractor unit propelled by jet engines, crashed during an act at the Field of Flight airshow in Battle Creek Michigan on Saturday. appreciated. One person was killed after a jet-powered truck caught fire and crashed racing two planes at a Battle Creek, Michigan airshow on July 2. The family is waiting for an autopsy report to learn the official cause of death. in Greene County. A representative with GoFundMe shared that a fundraiser has been created to assist the Darnell family. Per the site, the truck was driven by Darnell and owned by Darnell Racing Enterprises of Springfield, Missouri. Screenshot: spencerhughes2255 on YouTube. According to bio information Darnell has been involved in motorsports his entire life. The Battle Creek Executive Airport team inspected the airfield before the activitybegan, finding no issues. (Video: Michael Mullet, Photo: Michael Mullet/Michael Mullet) you really don't want to rile up or unnecessarily traumatize with the stark reality of how fucked a 200+mph rollover crash in a dang semi is. COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. Darnell also owned a truck accessory business in Springfield called 4 Wheel Customs, in addition to operating the fastest trucks in the world in drag racing and air shows. Shockwave Jet Truck driver dies in crash at airshow, Aviation safety advocate, AOPA colleague mourned. Battle Creek Police identified the driver of the Shockwave Jet Truck . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The custom-built race truck features . Chris Darnell, 40, lost his life in an accident that occurred around 1 p.m. on July 2 at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival in Battle Creek, Michigan. BATTLE CREEK, MI The fatal accident Saturday afternoon during the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival was caused by a mechanical failure, according to the father of the man who died. You have permission to edit this article. In a release, police said that as Darnell drove his Shockwave Jet Truck down the Battle Creek Executive Airport runway at speeds of 340 mph, a piece of tire debris could be seen flying off the back of the truck, indicating a blown tire. Whats next? Check our . Deputies respond to armed and barricaded subject in Independence, Noel man arrested; allegedly said he would shoot dog again, Warrant issued for man after dog is found with arrow in its head, Pittsburg High School student dies in morning crash, Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival, Tracking Missouris Bear population; Lt Gov experiences Dept of Conservations work in person, 3 Kansas City officers who were shot released from hospital, PSU's College of Technology hosts open house and expo. LANSING, Mich. (AP) The father of the jet engine-powered semi-truck driver who died during a performance at a southwestern Michigan air show said Tuesday that the truck burst into flames after a blown tire ruptured the fuel tank. The engines produce 36,000 horsepower and provide 21,000 pounds of thrust, allowing the truck to exceed speeds of350 mph. Shockwave Jet Truck crashes at Air Show, driver killed Chris Darnell, 40, was killed in the crash according to the Battle Creek Michigan Police; Shockwave Jet Truck company is based in Springfield, Mo. Chris Darnell, 40, died in the accident Saturday that happened during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.