Explosion Burns 2 in Another ‘Airwolf’ Filming Accident

State safety inspectors said Tuesday they are investigating an accident on the set of the television series “Airwolf” in which two stunt workers received second-degree burns when an explosives-laden pickup truck in which they were riding blew up.

The accident occurred Monday at Indian Dunes Park near Valencia, a few miles from the scene of an earlier “Airwolf” accident in which a helicopter crashed, killing a stunt man and injuring the pilot.

Injured in the latest accident were Desiree Kerns, 28, and Chad Randall, 18, a studio spokesman said.

Kerns, who was burned on the face, arms and neck, was in satisfactory condition Tuesday at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital burn ward, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Randall, who was burned on the face and arms, was treated and released from the hospital.

‘Timing Apparently Off’

Universal Studios spokesman Ben Halpern said the accident occurred when explosives attached to the front bumper of a four-wheel-drive pickup truck blew up before the pair made a planned leap from the vehicle.

“Apparently, the timing was off somewhere,” Halpern said. “We don’t know if the error was human or mechanical.”

Philip Krohn, regional manager for the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said his office, which is investigating the Jan. 18 helicopter crash, Tuesday began investigating the latest “Airwolf” accident.

Krohn said that his staff has found “no rules violations in the helicopter crash. There doesn’t appear to be anything we can cite them for.”

Malfunction Ruled Out

National Transportation and Safety Board inspectors also are investigating the helicopter crash, which caused the death of stunt man Reid Rondell, 22, of Canoga Park, and injured pilot Scott Maher, 36, of Los Angeles.

Safety board inspector Alan Crawford said last week that investigators have ruled out malfunction of the craft or its engine and that pilot error remained the most likely explanation for the crash.

Maher and Rondell were in a Bell 205 helicopter that was being filmed to provide stock footage for chase scenes for the series, which features a futuristic helicopter piloted by series star Jan-Michael Vincent, who works for an unnamed government agency.

Maher was pulled from the wreckage seconds before it burst into flames.

The CBS show is co-produced by Universal and Belisarius Productions Inc.