sugarloaf chairlift accident

On March 21st, a gearbox failure at Sugarloaf ski resort in Maine caused a chairlift to operate in reverse for 1-minute. Some panicked riders jumped from the chair in desperation and 7 were injured. An initial investigation of the accident revealed a design flaw in the chairlift’s gearbox. Partek Ski Lifts, the chairlift’s manufacturer, issued a bulletin on Thursday warning ski resorts that have their chairlifts to check specific safety components and keep an eye on a certain electrical switch that they feel is suspect. Investigators feel […]