SAM Magazine-Carraabasett Valley, Maine, Dec. 30, 2010-Investigators from the Maine board of elevator and tramway safety said that high wind was a contributing factor in the chairlift derailment Tuesday during their preliminary findings. The investigation itself is ongoing, according to Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin.

Doug Dunbar, a spokesman for Maine's board of elevators and tramways, said "the inspectors believe wind played a contributing role in the incident," but they have not ruled out other factors. (See timeline, below, for more details.)

Eight people were reported injured during the deropement. Six were treated and released, and two were hospitalized. None of the injuries were life-threatening.

Sugarloaf and local emergency response personnel were widely lauded for their quick and effective response to the accident.

The response team included members from ski patrol, grooming department, snowmaking department, resort ambassadors, lift maintenance personnel and the Carrabassett Valley Fire Department. In total, 54 people contributed to the evacuation of the lift.

"Our two primary concerns right now are for the rapid recovery of those injured yesterday and the safety of all Sugarloaf guests," said Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin. "We're incredibly grateful for the help offered by local and state agencies."

A detailed report will be issued by the Maine board of elevators and tramways once the investigation is complete.

EVENT TIMELINE

In a statement issued Wednesday, Sugarloaf described the events leading to the deropement.

Before the Spillway East chairlift was opened on the morning of Dec. 28, it was evaluated by the ski patrol director of Sugarloaf Mountain and a chairlift mechanic. That evaluation included towers, top and bottom terminals, and the completion of Sugarloaf's standard safety checks. The lift opened to the public at 9:55 am.

At 10:23 a.m., the lift operations department received a maintenance request for tower 8 from a Sugarloaf ski patroller. It was observed that the rope was running toward the outside of the rubber liners of the sheave train (the wheels on which the cable is supported) on tower 8. Two chairlift mechanics were dispatched to the scene.

At 10:30 a.m., one mechanic arrived at tower 8, and another at the bottom terminal. The two mechanics communicated while the tower 8 mechanic made an adjustment to the sheave train, per Sugarloaf's operating and maintenance procedures. The lift was slowly started to enable the cable to settle back into the correct location on the sheaves.

The realignment effort was unsuccessful. The mechanics repeated the procedure, again unsuccessfully. The mechanic on tower 8 determined that it would be inappropriate to run the chair at normal operating speed, and that the lift should be closed.

Mechanics started the lift at a slow operating speed to begin off-loading the guests who were on the lift. Shortly thereafter, the lift cable deroped from tower 8, leaving the cable suspended between tower 9 and tower 7, and five chairs struck the snow below.

When the deropement occurred, the mechanic on tower 8 immediately notified the mechanic at the bottom terminal. The lift was immediately stopped and locked out from further movement.

Ski patrol was immediately notified of the deropement, and lift evacuation procedures began at 10:45 a.m. At 12:14 p.m. all of the estimated 150 riders on the lift had been evacuated, and the injured had been transported to local hospitals.

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