A Terex Comedil CTT 561-A20 flat-top tower crane lost its jib and counter jib on a site near Helsinki airport in Finland yesterday.
The flat-top tower crane was operated by the main contractor Pallas Rakennus on the construction of apartments in Vantaa, on the east side of the airport, due north of Helsinki.
It looks as though the section of the tower above the slew ring came away from the slew ring fabrication, with the jib coming down across a road and landing on a site hut, while the tower section and counter jib dropped onto the building. Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident, although the operator was in the cab at the time and had to be rescued, apart from the shock he was fine.
According to witness statements, there was a catastrophic failure of a critical component which caused a loud bang. Last night the crane and site were still being made safe, while an investigation into what happened is underway.
Click here to see the video footage.
Local Authorities to Investigate Cause of Tower Crane Collapse
Finland’s Accident Investigation Board – Onnettomuustutkintakeskuksesta (OTKES) – is working with the regional authorities on the investigation, while Finland’s construction federation – Rakennusliitto tiedotti – has issued a statement calling for the authorities to act promptly to determine the cause of the incident, stating: “The Federation also demands that this tower crane model be temporarily banned until a full account of the incident has been obtained. The crane model can only be reintroduced after reliable surveys.”
Looking back, it resembled the tower crane accident that has happened in Syndey, Australia earlier this month. It is unsure now if it is just coincidence that both incidents involved the same Comedil CTT 561-A20 tower crane, or there could be a possibility that there is a manufacturer default on the crane. There should be further updates for both cases in 2020 and we will follow up again.
