His death later inspired the movie Donnie Darko, about a kid in 1988 who is killed by a jet engine in similar circumstances.

I can't find anything that would suggest this is true, but I would love if you were able to link me something proving me wrong, as I loved that movie growing up and like reading about it still.

You have no idea how old you saying "I loved that movie growing up" makes me feel :-)

/pedantic

That's not at all what Donnie Darko is about, but a jet engine from an unaccounted-for airplane does land in his house.