City investigators say the Hell’s Kitchen crane collapse in July 2023 was preventable because similar failures with the same type of crane had already happened overseas years earlier.

What You Need To Know

According to a report from the city’s Department of Buildings, the crane was lifting about 14,000 pounds of concrete when a hose carrying hydraulic fluid likely came loose

The DOB issued multiple violations to the contractor and crane operator for inadequate safety measures

Workers on the ground shut down the street before the collapse, which prevented injuries to pedestrians and drivers

The collapse not only caused damage and delays during the height of the early morning commute, but also changed how cranes are regulated citywide.

According to a report from the city’s Department of Buildings, the crane was lifting about 14,000 pounds of concrete when a hose carrying hydraulic fluid likely came loose. Once disconnected, the flammable liquid sprayed, reaching a hot engine surface and catching fire.

The city now requires stronger leak inspections, built-in fire detection, and automatic fire suppression systems on all diesel-powered tower cranes.

As the fire burned, it weakened the rope that holds up the crane’s boom. The boom fell hundreds of feet to the ground.

Workers on the ground shut down the street before the collapse, which prevented injuries to pedestrians and drivers. Several workers were injured, and a nearby building’s facade was damaged.

Investigators say there were two similar fires involving the same manufacturer in 2012 and in 2016 in Australia.

That led the company to recommend stronger leak inspections and built-in fire detection and automatic suppression systems.

Those protections were not installed on the crane, according to the report.

Now, the city is making those precautions mandatory and tightening licensing for smaller lifting machines. Any hoisting device that can lift at least 2,000 pounds must now be operated by a department-licensed professional with verified experience.

The DOB issued multiple violations to the contractor and crane operator for inadequate safety measures.