whistler blackcomb gondola tower collapse

[Maksim]

wow, just read this on google, was about to post the link but saw it here. I prey that no one got hurt too bad.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Whistler's official statement thus far: "structural failure on Tower 4 on Blackcomb Mountain's Excalibur Gondola caused the gondola to cease operation. No gondola cabins came off the line."

 

[BushMogulMaster]

BLACKCOMB’S EXCALIBUR GONDOLA COLLAPSES; NO SERIOUS INJURIES REPORTED

SAM Magazine—Whistler, B.C., Dec. 16, 2008—At approximately 2:30 p.m. PST, a tower on lower section of the Excalibur gondola at Blackcomb Mountain split and “bent over,” leaving several gondola cars dangling from the line and forcing an emergency evacuation that, at 5 p.m. PST, was still underway. Five people have received medical attention, but no serious injuries have been reported. Cause of the incident is still being investigated.

The 7,000-foot-long Excalibur rises about 1,000 vetical feet and is the main access lift out of Whistler Village for Blackcomb Mountain. It has an intermediate station about a quarter of the way up the line.

The incident occurred at tower four, between the base terminal and the mid-station. According to some reports, the tower snapped in half, and was said to be listing severely. Dozens of people were reported to be on the lift.

Reports have indicated that the line above the base terminal was sagging severely, with several of the eight-passenger gondolas dangling close to the ground. One had come to rest on a bus shelter, according to some reports. However, all injuries were said to be minor.

At the time of the incident, at least six people were trapped inside the cabin closest to the base of the mountain. That car was hovering a few feet above the ground before it came to rest on top of the bus shelter.

A second gondola, about 150 feet further up the mountain, was hovering 15 feet or so above Fitzsimmons Creek, between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

The section of the Excalibur above the midstation was evacuated without incident.

Who manufactured this lift?

 

[davidhowland14]

A Yan/Lift Engineering, I believe. Can't find any definite info though.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

A Yan/Lift Engineering, I believe. Can't find any definite info though.

No... the old Quicksilver lift was the Yan that failed.

Those are definitely not Yan grips. In fact, I don't think Yan ever manufactured a gondola.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Nevermind... it's a 1994 Dopp install. Should have known by the grip............

 

[davidhowland14]

No... the old Quicksilver lift was the Yan that failed.

Those are definitely not Yan grips. In fact, I don't think Yan ever manufactured a gondola. Looks like a later generation Von Roll. I only asked because I don't recall ever hearing of a serious failure on a Von Roll lift.

Yeah, I was going to correct myself when I saw your post. Somoene on wikipedia was confused. It's fixed now though

 

[drjeff]

Nevermind... it's a 1994 Dopp install. Should have known by the grip............

Yup, skilifts.org says its a 1994 vintage Dopp
and the segment where the collapse occurred is listed as 2375 ft long, with a vertical of 289 ft and a 280hp drive motor to get the cars upto 1000ft/min

 

[davidhowland14]

pictures and reportage I saw had one of the stranded cabins with people in it swinging out over a river. yikes! i'd imagine they have everyone out by now.

 

[vcunning]

Although there is no rational reason for it, I wouldn't be getting on the peak 2 peak gondola any time soon.

 

[Glenn]

The pics are amazing. At least everyone was OK. The one over the river....that had to be frightening.

 

[bvibert]

Thanks for the pics and SAM article BMM. The pictures show something very different than what the news articles that I saw were describing. If you hear any more info please let us know.

 

[deadheadskier]

Although there is no rational reason for it, I wouldn't be getting on the peak 2 peak gondola any time soon.

+1

While I realize accidents happen, I would have some concerns regarding their maintenance.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

It appears that the water/ice speculation was accurate. Here is what I have read from a Whistler/Blackcomb lift mech:

Tower 4 is a two section tower with solid flanges connecting the two pieces. The lower section somehow filled with water which froze and forced the flange off the top of the bottom section of the tower. The haul rope deroped off towers 3 and 5. (3 and 2 are a cluster at the bottom of the lift). Very fortunately there were no serious injuries. I'm led to believe the the tower can be repaired.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I believe SR's new Chondola is a Doppy, based on the ad in the middle of the AZ homepage it looks to be going about 80mph :wink:

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I believe SR's new Chondola is a Doppy, based on the ad in the middle of the AZ homepage it looks to be going about 80mph :wink:

Yep, it's a Doppelmayr-CTEC construction. One of the last. The CTEC name is no longer associated with Doppelmayr. They've gone back to Doppelmayr-Garaventa.

Of course... who knows when the North American branch will finally the CTEC from the logo.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I'm very confident that the fact that Intrawest declared bankruptcy a few months ago played no role in this accident.

 

[drjeff]

It appears that the water/ice speculation was accurate. Here is what I have read from a Whistler/Blackcomb lift mech:

Here's a pic from last year of an area in Washington State(the name slips me right now) of a similar ice/water catastrophic tower event



If I remember the story correctly, this was a transfer lift and the failure was discovered by a cat operator during the night when he noticed that the chairs were hanging a bit low while grooming a section of trail not far from where the tower failure occurred

 

[drjeff]

I'm very confident that the fact that Intrawest declared bankruptcy a few months ago played no role in this accident.

Oh come on now SRO, that just took away what was probably going to turn into an entertaining 7 or 8 page conspiracy theory rant by a few folks about this ACCIDENT :lol:

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Oh come on now SRO, that just took away what was probably going to turn into an entertaining 7 or 8 page conspiracy theory rant by a few folks about this ACCIDENT :lol:

I assume and am very confident that my posts have absolutely no effect on anything in AZ or any other ski forum I participate in, thankfully so. I hope this thread will prove to be no exception.

Perhaps GSS is busy writing up a tombstone order or working on his Taco Bell order for lunch....be patient. :wink: :wink: