The Disastrous Flying Car Stunt of 1976

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The 1976 flying car stunt over the St. Lawrence River that ended in disaster.

In the annals of daring feats and outrageous stunts, few stand out as dramatically and disastrously as the 1976 attempt to jump a car across the St. Lawrence River. This ill-fated undertaking, led by the daring Ken “The Mad Canadian” Carter, was a quintessential “hold my beer” moment that culminated in spectacular failure.

Ken Carter, known for his death-defying stunts, dreamed of performing The Super Jump: a one-mile leap from Canada to the United States across the St. Lawrence River. This ambitious plan mirrored Evel Knievel’s failed attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon. Carter’s inspiration seemed to come straight out of a cartoon, reminiscent of the bizarre adventures of Wile E. Coyote.

To realize this dream, Carter and his team chose a rocket-powered Lincoln Continental. The choice of vehicle was unconventional, perhaps stemming from the belief that traditional muscle cars like the Chevy Camaro or Ford Mustang were too small for the task. The Lincoln, with its modified fiberglass body, small wings, and rocket engine fueled by hydrogen peroxide and pressurized nitrogen, was prepared for the leap.

Preparations were extensive: 12 acres of land were cleared, a 1,400-foot-long takeoff road was paved, and an 85-foot-high launch ramp was built. Despite meticulous planning, the project suffered numerous setbacks, including bad weather and mechanical problems, which resulted in the jump being postponed three times. These delays undermined the confidence of Carter’s investors, leading them to hire American stuntman Kenny Powers to perform the jump.

The attempt was fraught with problems from the start. Uneven slopes on the takeoff road caused the Lincoln Continental to shake violently, resulting in cracks in the car’s bodywork before it even touched the ground. This premature damage caused the parachutes to deploy, causing the jump to fail. Powers, unable to maintain the required speed due to the rough start, only managed 180 mph instead of the required 270 mph. The car fell significantly short, traveling only 506 feet before plunging into the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River.

The aftermath was grim. Powers suffered serious injuries, including eight broken vertebrae, three broken ribs, and a broken wrist. Carter, who witnessed the catastrophic failure, never attempted the jump himself. The Super Jump remains a testament to the dangers of overly ambitious stunts and the fine line between bravery and foolishness.