Saturday, November 21, 2009

Reliable Crane and Rigging? Maybe Not! Accidents Do Happen!

Talk about a bad day at the office!

Fortunately, no one was injured in this accident but it's clear to me that the "Numbers" didn't quite add up.





Crane Smashes House




Let's see.... How does that equation go again?

(Total Weight of tree) x (Moment Arm) < (Total weight of cab) x (Moment Arm)

Ah, forget it.... I can't remember that stuff anymore


It's been a few years since I've had to make these computations but I guess there really is a practical application to all of the engineering mechanics I studied in college. I hate to see the effects of miscalculations when it results in bent metal, splintered wood, or injuries and casualties.

I'm relieved that no one was harmed when the crane smashed through this house in Santa Rosa, California and it's a little bit easier to giggle at it all and laugh it off knowing it's not my house and not my company that owned the crane, and no one got hurt. But I wonder how it's all going to get cleaned up. I'm sure the owners of the home will get their home repaired and all their furnishings will be replaced or fixed. That's what insurance is for right?

I'm a tad bit curious about the mistake that was made to allow this accident to happen. Clearly, someone decided it was okay to try to lift the tree over the house with the crane. I'm not completely sure what went wrong to allow the crane to tip over and smash the home but I'm sure it will be fully investigated and someone will be held accountable.

Here are a few details about the accident:

The accident happened at about 2:20 p.m. last Monday at a home on Molly Court, a small cul-de-sac in west Santa Rosa, according to fire Battalion Chief Andy Pforsich.

Apparently, they were using a crane to remove a tree from the back yard of the home. The weight of the tree was more than the crane could handle and the crane tipped backward and crashed into (through) the home. The cab portion of the crane remained suspended in the air Tuesday morning.

Dennis Olson, a neighbor who lives nearby on Nightingale Drive, said he was near the crane and saw it fall into the home.

"My first reaction was to get out of the way, and I ran to get clear in case it tipped sideways," Olson said. "Then I thought, Why didn't I hit the video button on my camera?"

Yep Mr Olson, it would have been nice to see the crash first hand. And I'm sure some network would have paid you big bucks for the rights to the video as well. But luckily you're safe. I read that Kevin and Michelle McCarthy, who had just moved in to the home in August, had gotten into a car accident earlier Monday, and the couple was in Marin County dealing with the crash when they got the call about their house. Sad news about their car accident .... but at least it kept them away from their house and away from danger.

Here's the news story:



6 comments:

Bowie Mike said...

Wow, I'm glad that my mistakes at work won't kill anyone. Although the pic gives good perspective, the shots in the news video have more of an "awe" factor.

Heather Dugan Creative / Footsteps said...

Whoa. That's a bit worse than my recent tree story!

Jane Turley said...

Obviously, the neighbour wasn't too worried about whether the owners were in residence:( Speaks volumes I feel. Anyway, I'm glad I don't live to him; he'd probably have a camera fixed on my driveway looking for some good photo opportunties:))

diecast cars said...

trying to solve your equation, I can say that the result is extremely disastrous, I think for something what you see in the picture is so extreme! a very good issue to address in a blog!

vertigo symptoms said...

I imagine that it represented more terrible accident in the house! the magnitude of the crane falling down on this small house is huge!

vupper eyelid said...

wow! big disaster! undoubtedly the person who owns that house was not very happy! I hope that has not passed anything wrong with people!