Calamities

The Case Of The Croupy Carburetor
By Kenneth Russel, October 07, 2007
What caused an aircraft's throttle to freeze, forcing its pilot to land on a nearby highway? More
The Case of the Wacky Walkie
By Myron Boyajian, September 23, 2007
What caused an electric-powered walkie to swing violently out of control, causing its operator to suffer a strained arm muscle and mashed fingers? More
The Case of the Strewn Skiers
By Kenneth Russel, September 02, 2007
What caused a NH chairlift to separate from a cable, sending its passengers crashing to the ground? More
The Case of the Ruinous Resonance
By Myron Boyajian, August 12, 2007
What could be causing a forklift to crack, break and roar? More
The Case of the Oleaginous Inlet
By Kenneth Russel, July 15, 2007
What could have caused this copper tubing fracture, which leaked mineral oil into a nearby bay, after only two years of service? More
The Case of the Crooked Crankshaft
By Myron Boyajian, June 24, 2007
After many miles, the engine in a local businessman’s van lost power, spewed oil smoke like a mosquito fogger and the transmission began to slip. What could have caused this engine failure? More
The Case of the Smashed Sissy Bar
By Kenneth Russel, June 03, 2007
Who was at fault in this accident between an Oldsmobile and a tractor-trailer? You be the judge. More
The Case of the Deadly Dump Truck
By Myron Boyajian, May 13, 2007
When combined with improperly installed or maintained equipment, careless or incorrect use of equipment can yield deadly results. Such was the case of a dump truck that allegedly lowered unintentionally. More
The Case of the Gassy Greenhouse
By Kenneth Russel, April 29, 2007
What caused a greenhouse gabled roof to suddenly collapse? More
The Case of the Languid Latch
By Myron Boyajian, April 08, 2007
What could have gone wrong with a loaner forklift when its lifting and lowering functions caused its forks to drop suddenly? More
The Case of the Nefarious Needle
By Kenneth Russel, March 18, 2007
What causes the fracture of a suture needle when nothing is wrong with the material it is made with? More
The Case of the Autonomous Auto
By Myron Boyajian, February 25, 2007
A driver's worst nightmare comes true - the accelerator pedal drops away and continues the car on a careening path. What kind of throttle linkage movement could precipitate such a disaster? More
The Case of the Ruptured Rim
By Kenneth Russel, February 04, 2007
A truck's tire rim splits at an angle that causes the inner tube of the tire to rupture. The manufacturing wasn't faulty, so what might have caused the break? More
The Case of the Decrepit Diesel
By Myron Boyajian, January 07, 2007
Who's to blame for unusually worndown forklifts? Is it the user who implemented quick fixes on broken machines, or the leasing agent who neglected to hold up his end of the maintenance bargain? More
The Case of the Faulty Flight Director
By Kenneth Russel, December 10, 2006
The cause of a deadly plane crash is under investigation. Was the flight crew somehow at fault or did errant metal particles cause the crash? More
The Case of the Compromised Compensator
By Myron Boyajian, November 19, 2006
A tractor-trailor's brakes fail and the ensuing accident takes the life of a young mother. Were friction and wear the culprits, or was there another underlying safety issue? More
The Case of the Acidulated Autobahn
By Kenneth Russel, November 05, 2006
A tidal wave of hydrochloric acid floods a busy highway after it erupts from the belly of a tractor trailor's load. What structural flaw could have caused such a dangerous mess? More
The Case of the Aggrieved Gudgeon
By Myron Boyajian, October 22, 2006
A 4,000 lb roll of paper board slips form the grip of a forklift's clamp and kills an unsuspecting worker. Is shoddy maintenance to blame? More
The Case of the Sulfurous Sewer
By Kenneth Russel, October 08, 2006
A noxious explosion seriously injures a sewer working, but is it enough to make a stink in a court of law? More
The Case of the Cavalier Counselors
By Myron Boyajian, September 24, 2006
The operator of a tipped-over forklift is crushed and killed. But will the lawyers pleading the case hurt their cause with their cagey behavior? More

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