Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Crane That Killed Worker At 7 Train Site Had Faulty Hoisting System
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 6, 2012
Modified Apr 6, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 6, 2012
Modified Apr 6, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Investigators looking into why a giant 170-foot crane collapsed and killed a worker at the 7 train extension site Tuesday night are homing in on the crane's "hoisting system." The crane was not carrying any load when the boom broke and fell apart, but a steel-wire cable of the crane snapped just moments before the accident. Officials say it had "a number of defects" in its hoisting system.
"Our engineers have found defects in the hoisting system of the crane that failed and, as a result, the maintenance and operation of the crane in the days and weeks prior to this tragic accident has become the focus of our investigation,” said Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri. Another city official speculated that the defects were the result of "poor maintenance." Yonkers Contracting, which operated the crane, is currently the focus of the investigation, and the company is also contesting a $5,000 fine issued after a "serious" incident at the World Trade Center last May involving a device used to “lift personnel.”
In the wake of the fatal accident, the MTA re-inspected all cranes at its city projects and all passed. New MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg tells the Times that Yonkers Contracting, not the agency, was responsible for maintaining the crane. Tragically, the crane was to have been inspected just days after it broke. The DOB had tried to inspect the boom in January, but because it was being used when they arrived, they postponed the inspection until April 5th.
Tagged
7 train extension
boom
crane
crane collapse
fatal crane collapse
MTA
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .