In the bit where the helicopter crashes into the truck, if you freeze frame it then advance you can see the helicopter exploding before it hits the truck. Trigger happy pyro guys....
When the helicopter crashes against the van, the blades of the rotor hit the van first causing the engine to be disrupted and explodes just before the heli hits the van. Just my opinion, but it's a possible explanation. (I would have to look again if the timing could be right, but I'm not sure. I have to see again)
It's possible that the transmission on the heicopter blew up when the blades hit the van. The gears would have meshed and then blown apart much like a car transmission would have.