Officials: Proper procedures followed after Arizona State Fair ride mishap
Oct 7, 2019, 3:29 PM
(YouTube screenshot)
(YouTube screenshot)
PHOENIX — Officials said correct procedures were followed after a ride that malfunctioned Friday at the Arizona State Fair left passengers dangling in the air for several minutes.
Fair officials said Monday in an email that the Tango ride had its safety computer system engage at about 5:40 p.m., causing normal operations to stop.
Video (WARNING: Explicit language) of the incident shows passengers stranded in the air after the ride stopped spinning.
The five passengers on the ride were stuck for about six minutes before being lowered to the ground, according to the email.
“Momentary loss of power or a sensor notification can activate the safety program to engage,” officials said. “The ride did what it is designed to do, and at no time were passengers’ safety compromised.”
A safety inspection was performed on the ride and it was reopened after no issues were found.
Fair officials said independent ride inspectors will continue to perform inspections throughout the month-long event.
The Arizona State Fair opened Friday and runs Wednesdays-Sundays through Oct. 27.
