AirshowStuff Forums

Waka Photography wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:29 am Did anyone else find it interesting that shockwave initially spinned the opposite direction of the blown tire? I would've expected the truck to veer left if the back left tire blew, however videos show that it spins right. Still can't believe this happened.

That would’ve been my expectation as well. Lends credence to the theory that failures in the engines threw shrapnel that cut tires, and the right side could’ve been damaged as well. Will be interesting to see what comes out, if anything. FAA statement said they’re not involved due to it not being an aircraft, but I expected FSDO to be involved since they govern airshows. Perhaps NTSB will investigate.

jhtolatc wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 8:26 pm

Waka Photography wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:29 am Did anyone else find it interesting that shockwave initially spinned the opposite direction of the blown tire? I would've expected the truck to veer left if the back left tire blew, however videos show that it spins right. Still can't believe this happened.

That would’ve been my expectation as well. Lends credence to the theory that failures in the engines threw shrapnel that cut tires, and the right side could’ve been damaged as well. Will be interesting to see what comes out, if anything. FAA statement said they’re not involved due to it not being an aircraft, but I expected FSDO to be involved since they govern airshows. Perhaps NTSB will investigate.

I think it would be in the best interest for everyone if their was a conclusion to what might’ve happened, because in the airshow world, safety is always #1 and even in times like this, there’s lessons to be learned to make things even safer in the future for all performers. When talking to Chris in prior years he always explained to fans that came up to Shockwave that they had modified the truck heavily so if something like this happened there wouldn’t be a fire and the driver could escape quickly. But when you’re traveling almost 300 mph anything is unpredictable.

I wonder what this means for jet vehicles in the future at airshows?

It was an honor to be included in a final toast to Chris following Sunday's show. The Thunderbirds had added Chris' name to the #1 jet so that he could fly with them. All of the performers and crew gathered around to swap stories and remember him.

The show opened with a missing man:
https://www.facebook.com/AirshowStuff/p ... Zwcmyw56l

The Thunderbirds closed it with a missing man:
https://www.facebook.com/AirshowStuff/p ... j4zScpwBnl

Video of the Thunderbirds show on Sunday from inside the box(!) including the missing man at the end.

In 17 years, this is the first time I have seen either jet team fly a missing man in person.

On July 13, 2022, at Chris Darnell's funeral, a missing man aerial salute took place.

The aircraft that took part in the flyover included:
Matt Younkin - Beech C18S
Ken Reider - 2018 Van's RV-8
Joe Shetterly - Van's RV-8
Brian Correll - 1979 Pitts S-2