Horror crash kills jet truck pilot as crowds watch US airshow

An airshow celebrating the 75th anniversary of the US Air Force has taken a tragic turn.

Thousands who turned out for the Field of Flight in Battle Creek witnessed a fiery crash on Saturday.

A shockwave jet truck that was racing two airplanes at 480km/h, suddenly burst into flames.

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"It just broke apart. It just was like pieces were flying everywhere," one witness said.

"And then there was a huge explosion, fire everywhere, and people started running. I just remember sitting there playing just praying, please god, please, god, let him be okay."

Tragically, the shockwave jet truck's driver, 40-year-old Chris Darnell, was killed in the incident.

The Battle Creek police and fire departments are joining the Federal Aviation Administration in investigating what went wrong.

The City of Battle Creek halted the rest of Saturday's airshow performances following the tragedy.

Organisers said the show would resume on Sunday at Battle Creek's executive airport known as Kellogg Field.

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