December 17, 2008
Whistler Blackcomb Operations Now Resumed Following Bc Safety Authority Secondary Inspection
The
British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA), BC's independent auditor on
passenger ropeway systems, has given approval for Whistler Blackcomb to
continue regular operations on its mountain lifts, with the exception
of the Excalibur Gondola.
"Preliminary inspection by BC safety officers has determined that
this was an isolated incident of water contamination in a tower tube
which caused a tower joint flange to fail due to ice jacking," said
Greg Paddon, safety manager from the BC Safety Authority. "There is no
justification at this time that other installations operating at
Whistler Blackcomb have been effected by a similar failure; the BC
Safety Authority does not anticipate rescinding operating permits on
any lifts currently operating at Whistler Blackcomb other than the
upper and lower Excalibur Gondola. Investigation into the incident
continues on both the lower and upper Excalibur Gondola; these
installations will not return to service December 17, 2008."
Tuesday afternoon at approximately 2:30pm, a structural failure on
tower 4 of the Excalibur Gondola caused the gondola to cease operation.
All gondola cabins remained on the line; however a number of the cabins
dropped approximately 30 feet with the sagging span, and two cabins hit
the ground, injuring several people. Twelve guests were treated at the
Whistler Medical Clinic and all walked out on their own accord later
that evening. A total of 53 people were evacuated off the affected
lower line of the gondola. The evacuation was completed by 5:51pm.
Several factors converged to cause the tower failure. The structure
of the tower is such that two parts are spliced together. Water had
seeped into the tower which had turned to ice with the recent extreme
cold temperatures. The ice build-up caused the tower splice to rupture,
an extremely unusual situation referred to as "ice-jacking". Further
investigation by a team of lift manufacturer and independent
engineering experts will take place early afternoon today.
"As always, our top priority is for the safety and well-being of our
resort guests and employees," says Doug Forseth, senior vice president
of operations. "Whistler Blackcomb delayed opening some of our lifts
this morning until the BCSA confirmed our findings from last night.
After the work conducted throughout last night by our own lift
maintenance team, and a secondary inspection that was completed by the
BCSA, access to all our operational lifts, with the exception of the
Excalibur Gondola, is expected to be available by midday."
Following BCSA's inspection, the following lifts are now clear to
open: Emerald Express, Big Red Express and Franz's Chair, in addition
to the Whistler Village Gondola and the Creekside Gondola on Whistler
Mountain. Wizard Express, Solar Coaster and Excelerator on Blackcomb.
Crews have now moved to the Jersey Cream Express and Glacier Express on
Blackcomb and both those are expected to be cleared shortly.
The Excalibur Gondola is a Doppelmayr lift, and was installed in
1994. A world-leader in lift design and manufacturing, Doppelmayr lifts
are in operation throughout the world and their safety record is
excellent.
For further information about Whistler Blackcomb operating hours, open lifts, snow conditions and open terrain, please visit
www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
