Fatal blast at Michigan air show blamed on mechanical woe

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (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 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. Springfield, Missouri-based Darnell Racing Enterprises said the custom-built jet truck reaches speeds topping 350 mph and races at air shows across North America. Police said 40-year-old Chris Darnell was driving the truck at the time of the accident and died from his injuries. Neal Darnell said the accident occurred “as a result of a mechanical failure on the jet truck.”