One dead following jet truck explosion at Battle Creek Field of Flight

2022-07-23 03:17:22 By : Mr. Ekin Yan

One person is dead following an explosion during a jet-fueled semitruck pyrotechnic performance Saturday at Battle Creek Executive Airport.

Emergency crews responded after the explosion during the 1:10 p.m. performance by the Shockwave Jet Truck. In a release, the city confirmed the incident resulted in one death.

The Battle Creek Fire Department, Battle Creek Police Department, and Federal Aviation Administration are at the scene investigating, and there is no other information about the driver at this time.

"He was doing his show and going down the runway," said Suze Gusching, media relations for Field of Flight. "He passed by the explosion, and his truck had exploded."

Saturday's air show was canceled following the incident, while all other Field of Flight activities remain on schedule.

The Shockwave Jet Truck is part of the Darnell Racing Enterprise’s show team, which includes the Aftershock Jet Fire truck and the Flash Fire Jet Truck. The team is based in Springfield, Missouri.

According to the team’s website, the Shockwave truck features three Pratt & Whitney J34-38 jet engines originally used in U.S. Navy T2 Buckeyes. The engines produce 36,000 horsepower and provide 21,000 pounds of thrust, allowing the truck to reach speeds of more than 350 mph.

The team’s three trucks have appeared at shows across the U.S.

Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley