MassTort.org

In 2006, Indiana Beach was sued based on injuries that allegedly resulted from a fall from the park’s sky ride. According to the complaint, the patron did not successfully get onto the ride and the operator failed to shut it down immediately, resulting in the patron falling 20 feet and incurring substantial injuries.

See this entry for a key excerpt from the complaint.

Complaint

Austin, TX fair (Sizzler fatality) · 1597 days ago

In December 2005, a nine-year-old girl fell out of a Wisdom Sizzler and was struck and killed by the spinning ride. Most indications are that she removed her feet from the foot tub, possibly trying to brace herself against sliding into her brother.

CPSC investigation report

The Rattler (Fiesta Texas) · 1598 days ago

At the time of its opening, Fiesta Texas was operated by Opryland, though I believe USAA insurance was involved in some way as well. As the documents indicate, the park wished to have a very high-profile wooden coaster at opening, and chose the Roller Coaster Corporation of America to perform the work. (Documents refer to the Roller Coaster Corporation of Texas, which I assume without knowing is a subsidiary.)

The park was in particular focused on having a number of records held by the coaster, and so made what might be considered late decisions to increase the lift hill height and the length of the first drop. At least in retrospect, some of the documents indicate early indications of problems, including an accelerometer test performed about a month before the ride opened, the results of which were, according to people involved, “just . . . in the envelope.”

Ultimately, the first drop was reduced in length and reprofiled fairly dramatically. The park was the target of a number of lawsuits; I have never seen any indications about the results of them, though I’ve also never tried very hard to find them.

The documents provide an interesting, if potentially dated, look at how design decisions can sometimes be made. One would imagine that today’s modeling technology might avoid some of the issues with this coaster.

Incidentally, I rode the Rattler very early on, I’m pretty sure before any reprofiling. It was a very fun ride, but my recall of the first drop was that it came out of it very hard, with substantial forces in play.

Courtesy of RideAccidents.com, here are key documents obtained in discovery in litigation:

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Kingda Ka Shutdown Reports · 1598 days ago

In 2005, the massive Intamin launched coaster “Kingda Ka,” at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, was shut down for a lengthy period. This report provides the state inspectors’ information relating to the shutdown.

Report

Miller v. Dollywood (Blazing Fury) · 1598 days ago

In this suit, the plaintiff alleges injuries from the evidently rather mild Blazing Fury ride at Dollywood. The suit alleges that an earlier inspection recommended changes in the ride that were not instituted.

Complaint

Strates versus Everybody · 1598 days ago

In this suit, Strates sued a whole pile of people alleging flaws/corruption in the awarding of the North Carolina state fair contract.

Complaint

Larose v. Six Flags (Screamin' Eagle) · 1598 days ago

In 1998, the plaintiff alleges injuries resulted from riding the park’s Screamin’ Eagle coaster.

Complaint

Michigan's Adventure - Chaos Collapse · 1598 days ago

On July 30, 2001, the turntable on Michigan’s Adventure’s Chaos ride detached, resulting in injuries.

Investigation report

Worldwide Entertainment v. Martin · 1598 days ago

Worldwide Entertainment sued Ken Martin, a ride inspector. The case was settled with undisclosed terms.

Complaint

Martin’s press release