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. Luckily, nobody else was injured within the accident.
Two airplanes were performing tricks and flying just above the truck because it raced down a runway at the Battle Creek Executive Airport when the accident happened.
The truck was spitting out pyrotechnic flames from its exhaust pipes, which was apparently something normal for the truck to do in the show.
According to the International Council of Air Shows, the truck has been operated by the Darnell’s since 2012. The vehicle was inspired by a 1985 Peterbilt and powered by three J-34 jet engines.
The truck, which was commended on the company’s because the “world’s fastest semi,” having once reached a record speed of 376 miles per hour, was modified to hold three jet engines on the rear, providing it with 36,000 horsepower and 21,000 pounds of thrust.
In a post on the Jet Truck Facebook page, Darnell’s father, Neal Darnell, blamed mechanical failure for the accident.
“We are so sad,” Darnell said in the post. “Just one month ago Chris turned 40. He was so well loved by everyone who knew him. Chris so loved the Air Show business. He was ‘Living the Dream’ as he said.”
Two airplanes were performing tricks and flying just above the truck because it raced down a runway at the Battle Creek Executive Airport when the accident happened.
The truck was spitting out pyrotechnic flames from its exhaust pipes, which was apparently something normal for the truck to do in the show.
According to the International Council of Air Shows, the truck has been operated by the Darnell’s since 2012. The vehicle was inspired by a 1985 Peterbilt and powered by three J-34 jet engines.
The truck, which was commended on the company’s because the “world’s fastest semi,” having once reached a record speed of 376 miles per hour, was modified to hold three jet engines on the rear, providing it with 36,000 horsepower and 21,000 pounds of thrust.
In a post on the Jet Truck Facebook page, Darnell’s father, Neal Darnell, blamed mechanical failure for the accident.
“We are so sad,” Darnell said in the post. “Just one month ago Chris turned 40. He was so well loved by everyone who knew him. Chris so loved the Air Show business. He was ‘Living the Dream’ as he said.”
