Settlement ends regulatory action against crane operator, but Big D Builders still faces nearly $200,000 in fines after 2024 collapse killed three
Inland Crane, the Boise-based crane company involved in the deadly January 31, 2024 collapse of a hangar under construction at Boise Airport, has reached a settlement with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) that formally clears the company of its initial citation—but with strict conditions aimed at improving jobsite safety.
The collapse, which killed three workers and injured eight others, occurred while a new private jet hangar was under construction for Jackson Jet Center. The partially erected steel frame gave way while a crane was placing an end truss. Inland Crane was operating the crane at the time.
Citation Withdrawn, Safety Training Mandated
OSHA originally cited Inland Crane for exposing workers to hazards and failing to ensure structural stability, proposing more than $10,000 in penalties. However, as of March 7, 2025, OSHA has formally withdrawn the citation and fine under a settlement agreement that outlines corrective actions the company must take.
Under the settlement, Inland Crane must provide all employees with training on a “Stop Work Authority” policy. This policy empowers employees to halt work if they observe signs of structural instability, such as bending beams, warped trusses, or other structural shifts. The training must also include a guarantee that employees will not face retaliation for invoking this authority.
The company is also required to train crane operators and riggers to identify and immediately report signs of instability to the site’s general contractor—in writing. The measures aim to address gaps in site communication and hazard escalation that may have contributed to the disaster.
No Admission of Fault
In the agreement, Inland Crane does not admit fault for the collapse, injuries, or fatalities. A company spokesperson stated the settlement “confirms the company’s position that its employees followed all safety protocols and were not at fault in the accident.”
Vice President Jeremy Haener also noted that the company now allows workers to report safety concerns directly through a mobile app, enabling faster communication with project leaders and site supervisors.
“We continue to mourn our colleagues and friends lost in the incident and offer our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones,” said Haener.
Collapse Timeline and Technical Breakdown
The collapse happened just after Inland Crane had removed three of its four mobile cranes from the site, reportedly at the direction of another contractor. The final crane was placing an end truss when the steel frame structure buckled, pulling the crane’s boom down with it.
OSHA’s area director David Kearns previously noted that Inland’s crew had expressed concerns about structural “bending and waving” prior to the collapse, and that their escape from injury was “very fortunate.” The incident highlighted the dangers of continuing operations amid visible structural anomalies, even when warnings are not formally escalated.
Big D Builders Still Under Fire
While Inland Crane’s citation was dropped, general contractor Big D Builders, based in Meridian, remains under scrutiny. OSHA fined the company nearly $200,000 for four safety violations, citing an “appalling disregard of safety standards.” The agency alleged that Big D Builders ignored visible structural warning signs and failed to act in time.
“We cannot put a value on the loss of life,” said Kearns, “but we will use all our resources to hold employers accountable when they willfully ignore safety regulations.”
Despite ongoing lawsuits from the victims’ families, Big D Builders is reportedly proceeding with a redesign and rebuild of the hangar using steel supports and revised engineering specifications.
