The Catastrophic Flying Car Stunt of 1976

The 1976 flying car stunt across 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 endeavor, spearheaded by the audacious Ken "The Mad Canadian" Carter, was a quintessential "hold my beer" moment that culminated in a spectacular failure.

Ken Carter, known for his death-defying stunts, dreamed of executing The Super Jump—a one-mile leap from Canada to the United States over the St. Lawrence River. This ambitious plan mirrored Evel Knievel's attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon, which also ended in failure. Carter’s inspiration seemed straight out of a cartoon, reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote's outlandish escapades.

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

The preparation was extensive: five acres of land were cleared, a 1,400-foot takeoff road was paved, and an 85-foot-high launch ramp was constructed. Despite meticulous planning, the project faced numerous setbacks, including bad weather and mechanical issues, delaying the jump three times. These delays eroded the confidence of Carter's investors, leading them to hire American stuntman Kenny Powers to execute the jump.

The attempt was fraught with problems from the start. Uneven grading on the takeoff road caused the Lincoln Continental to jostle violently, resulting in cracks in the car's body before it even left the ground. This premature damage triggered the parachutes to deploy, ensuring the jump's failure. Powers, unable to maintain the required speed due to the rough takeoff, managed only 180 mph instead of the necessary 270 mph. Consequently, the car fell significantly short, covering only 506 feet before plunging into the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River.

The aftermath was grim. Powers sustained severe injuries, including eight broken vertebrae, three broken ribs, and a broken wrist. Carter, witnessing the catastrophic failure, never attempted the jump himself. The Super Jump remains a testament to the perils of overly ambitious stunts and the fine line between bravery and folly.