550 Tenth Avenue – Crane Investigation
New York, NY
GMS was retained by the NYC Department of Buildings to provide forensic engineering services to determine the probable cause for the partial collapse of a tower crane after a fire occurred on the crane’s machine deck at 550 Tenth Avenue in July 2023. Several injuries occurred and damage was caused to the neighboring buildings at 555 and 561 Tenth Avenue.
GMS led a multidisciplinary team of expert subconsultants in a comprehensive investigation of the incident. Our team concluded that the collapse originated from a failed hydraulic hose near the engine compartment. The hose detached from its crimp fitting, releasing hydraulic oil that ignited upon contact with the deck’s hot surfaces. The resulting fire compromised the luffing wire rope, leading to the catastrophic failure of the boom.
In addition to the cause-and-effect analysis, GMS provided recommendations for code/rule changes aimed at mitigating future fire risks and enhancing safety standards for high-rise crane operations.
