On a sunny afternoon during an airshow in Battle Creek Field, Michigan, a truck sped down a runway, racing a plane that flew just about it. Suddenly, the truck burst into flames and skidded down the track, leaving the driver, forty-year-old Chris Darnell, dead.
The truck Darnell was driving was no ordinary truck– it was custom-made and fitted with three jet engines and is more commonly known as the “Shockwave Jet Truck”. According to daytonairshow.com, the engines are capable of producing up to 36,000 horsepower and have a record speed.
During the highlight of the airshow, a video captured by an audience member shows Chris Darnell driving the truck and racing a low-flying plane.
During the middle of the race, a fiery explosion suddenly goes off in the foreground. There has been a common misconception among viewers about the cause of this explosion, as although it looked like it was caused by the truck, it was supposed to be part of the pyrotechnics.
This was more thoroughly explained by Barbara Haluszka, the executive director of the festival. She explains, “The pyro is on the grass,” says Ms. Haluszka, “The jet truck is running on the runway. From the crowd’s side, it looks like he’s driving straight through the pyro. But he’s not.”
What is currently unknown is if the explosion had anything to do with the truck skidding down the track. What is known for now, according to Mr. Darnell’s father, is that the truck had a mechanical malfunction, which is now being investigated by the Battle Creek Police Department.
After the malfunction, the truck flipped numerous times and skidded down the track in flames, killing the driver Chris Darnell, and leaving the audience in shock and confusion, debating whether it was a stunt or if it was real.
In a post, Mr. Darnell’s father stated that his son “so loved the Air Show business” and was “living the dream”.
The truck Darnell was driving was no ordinary truck– it was custom-made and fitted with three jet engines and is more commonly known as the “Shockwave Jet Truck”. According to daytonairshow.com, the engines are capable of producing up to 36,000 horsepower and have a record speed.
During the highlight of the airshow, a video captured by an audience member shows Chris Darnell driving the truck and racing a low-flying plane.
During the middle of the race, a fiery explosion suddenly goes off in the foreground. There has been a common misconception among viewers about the cause of this explosion, as although it looked like it was caused by the truck, it was supposed to be part of the pyrotechnics.
This was more thoroughly explained by Barbara Haluszka, the executive director of the festival. She explains, “The pyro is on the grass,” says Ms. Haluszka, “The jet truck is running on the runway. From the crowd’s side, it looks like he’s driving straight through the pyro. But he’s not.”
What is currently unknown is if the explosion had anything to do with the truck skidding down the track. What is known for now, according to Mr. Darnell’s father, is that the truck had a mechanical malfunction, which is now being investigated by the Battle Creek Police Department.
After the malfunction, the truck flipped numerous times and skidded down the track in flames, killing the driver Chris Darnell, and leaving the audience in shock and confusion, debating whether it was a stunt or if it was real.
In a post, Mr. Darnell’s father stated that his son “so loved the Air Show business” and was “living the dream”.
