On July 2, 2022, driver Chris Darnell was killed after a mechanical failure occurred during a performance at the Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival in Battle Creek, Michigan. Chris Darnell had performed at the Fargo AirSho most recently in 2021 and had appeared at the Grand Forks AFB two weeks before his death. Chris Darnell, who drove a truck powered by three jet engines and performed on the air show circuit, died in a crash while racing two airplanes.
In a release, police said that as Darnell drove his Shockwave Jet Truck down the Battle Creek Executive Airport runway at speeds of 340 mph, a piece of tire debris could be seen flying off the back of the truck, indicating a blown tire.

Shortly after the blow, Darnell launched his parachute. Police said his family suggested the parachute launched sooner than normal, perhaps because Darnell sensed a problem. The truck continued forward, and there was an explosion on the back of the truck, likely caused by tire debris and possibly a fuel tank rupture. The explosion caused the back end of the truck to twist left before it veered right into the grass, flipping four times.

Northern Thunder, 2022 Grand Forks AFB Airshow on Saturday afternoon June 18th.