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Missouri man dies when jet-powered big rig explodes at air show

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Missouri man dies when jet-powered big rig explodes at air show
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.
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(Chris Darnell. Courtesy: Darnell Racing Enterprises)

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A Springfield, Missouri, man died following an explosion during a jet-fueled semitruck performance Saturday at a southwestern Michigan air show, officials said.

Emergency crews responded after the explosion happened about 1 p.m. at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.

Chris Darnell, 40, was driving the Shockwave Jet Truck down a runway at Battle Creek Executive Airport when the explosion occurred, air show spokeswoman Suze Gusching told the Battle Creek Enquirer.

The truck is powered by two jet engines and reached speeds topping 300 mph, according to Springfield, Missouri-based Darnell Racing Enterprises.

No other injuries were reported.

A post on the Shockwave Jet Truck Facebook page by owner Neal Darnell, Chris’ father, attributed the explosion to a mechanical failure.

 

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The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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2 Comments

I’m not going to say anything about stupid games like at least one other commenter.

But crashes, blown engines, exploding tires, fires, etc are all part and parcel with motorsports.

Sometimes the results can be fatal in spite of the safety measures in place.
Every participant know this and the risks involved.

Humans are forever pushing the boundaries and limits of ourselves and the machines we build. Part of the results are the improvements to every day technologies.

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