Report: 2023 NYC Crane Fire and Collapse Caused by Failed Hydraulic Hose

A disconnected hydraulic hose seemingly sprayed flammable oil onto a scorching floor, igniting a blaze that compromised the luffing system of a tower crane on a busy New York Metropolis avenue, sending its increase crashing 500 ft to the bottom, in response to a long-awaited investigation right into a 2023 crane fireplace and partial collapse on the west facet of Manhattan. 

The collapse at a 45-story mixed-use tower rising at 550 tenth Ave. injured a number of employees and broken a neighboring constructing however brought on no life-threatening accidents.

The New York Metropolis Dept. of Buildings’ 968-page report on the July 26, 2023 incident—written in live performance by the NYC Dept. of Investigation and engineering consultants Gilsanz Murray Steficek (GMS)—is prompting new fire-safety necessities for diesel-powered tower cranes working citywide. Metropolis leaders say the findings underscore the necessity for tighter protocols on tools inspections, fireplace suppression and operator oversight.

Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo known as the accident a “nightmare state of affairs” for the {industry} and famous that the town has “already applied new adjustments to assist forestall it from occurring once more.”

A Chain of Failures

In response to the report, crews have been utilizing a Favelle Favco diesel-powered tower crane owned by New York Crane & Tools Corp. and operated by Cross Nation Building for concrete placement when a hydraulic hose close to the engine compartment indifferent from its crimp becoming. The failure is believed to have launched hydraulic oil that ignited upon contact with a scorching floor on the crane deck. Temperatures within the compartment reached an estimated 900°C as the hearth unfold.

The crane collapse and fireplace occurred after this failed hydraulic hose, with spiral delamination, detatched from its crimp becoming.
Picture courtesy the New York Metropolis Dept. of Buildings

The operator tried to place out the flames with an on-board extinguisher however was pressured to descend the tower to flee the blaze. The fireplace critically broken the luffing rope supporting the crane’s 165-ft increase, which then failed, sending the increase onto tenth Avenue and putting the facade of the adjoining 555 tenth Avenue constructing. Employees on the positioning suffered minor accidents. 

The report says casualties have been “seemingly” prevented as a result of the undertaking’s common contractor, Monadnock Building, swiftly shut down surrounding streets.

“By doing so the {industry} can be taught and promote amongst workers the significance of immediate motion from this instance,” the report states.

Monadnock stated in a press release offered to ENR that it has “a 50-year observe file of safely managing advanced development websites and appreciates that the decisive, life-saving motion by our crew on the day of the incident is the one reference to our agency on this report and it notes that that these efforts ought to set the usual for the development {industry}.” 

New York Crane & Tools Corp. couldn’t be reached for remark and Cross Nation Building didn’t present a remark earlier than publication.  

Regulatory Response and Violations

Within the aftermath of the collapse, the town issued 4 violations to common contractor Monadnock Building and crane consumer Cross Nation Building for failing to safeguard the positioning, keep housekeeping requirements and implement sufficient security measures.

A spokesperson for Monadnock stated that one of many three DOB violations citing their agency for a lacking handrail was dismissed, and one violation citing common housekeeping after the incident was cured instantly. A 3rd violation for failure to have ensured {that a} every day inspection log was maintained is being contested within the New York State Supreme Courtroom, New York County.

Citing the investigation’s findings, DOB has now made the producer’s beforehand voluntary fire-safety suggestions obligatory for all diesel tower cranes in New York Metropolis. Each unit working within the 5 boroughs should now embody fireplace suppression and detection methods within the engine-compartment space, together with enhanced inspection procedures.

The company has additionally strengthened oversight of carry administrators—who supervise crane actions, jumps and cargo picks—by including new registration necessities and expertise thresholds. Further reforms enacted since 2023 embody a brand new licensing class for operators of smaller hoisting units corresponding to knuckle-boom vans, minicranes and telehandlers. Any tools rated for two,000 lb or extra should now be operated by a DOB-licensed skilled with not less than 3,000 hours of expertise.

Parallels to Earlier Accidents

Investigators additionally reviewed international incidents involving related Favelle Favco fashions and located the circumstances intently mirrored tower-crane fires and collapses in Sydney in 2012 and Melbourne in 2016. After these occasions, the producer issued a technical bulletin to crane proprietor NYCE recommending optionally available—however not required—enhancements corresponding to leak-inspection protocols, engine-compartment fireplace suppression methods, fireplace detection units and extra extinguishers close to the crane cab.

The report says that whereas the bulletin “was not
obligatory, NYCE ought to have applied some or all of the suggestions and knowledgeable the
tools consumer (CCC)” of the bulletin “so they may have taken applicable measures.”

Trade Impression
DOI Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber stated the incident highlights the significance of “strong security protocols,” noting that the investigative work has already accelerated industry-wide enhancements.

Town is reviewing extra suggestions from technical consultants—together with Crane Tech Options, TJ Russo Consultants and Edgett Williams Consulting Group—aimed toward additional modernizing New York’s crane rules. DOB officers say they’ll proceed collaborating with the Metropolis Council and {industry} stakeholders to reinforce requirements.

“This investigation gives vital classes to assist forestall future incidents and informs new fireplace security necessities for tower cranes citywide,” Jeff Roth, deputy mayor for operations stated within the assertion.