The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·88116·Announced 1988-12-28

CPSC Requests Inspections of Monster Amusement Rides Following Fatal Accident

CPSC requests immediate metallurgical inspections of Monster amusement rides after a fatal accident in Florida. Owners and operators are asked to inspect for structural defects.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the accident killed one person, which meets the rubric criterion for a score of 5 (Critical) due to known fatalities.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has requested that owners and operators of "Monster" amusement rides nationwide undertake immediate metallurgical inspections. This action follows a preliminary investigation into an accident at the Broward County, Florida Fair in November 1988, which resulted in one death and at least six injuries. The accident occurred when a structural component known as a sweep broke, causing four cars to fall to the ground.

The rides were manufactured by the Eyerly Aircraft Company of Salem, Oregon, which no longer produces amusement rides. A 1982 safety bulletin from the manufacturer had previously emphasized the need for thorough visual and non-destructive testing to identify cracking in critical structural areas. The preliminary investigation indicates that a crack in one of the sweeps may have caused the accident, though there was no indication that the crack had been painted over.

Although the CPSC does not have jurisdiction over permanent amusement rides, the inspection notice is being supplied to owners of both permanent and mobile "Monster" rides. The agency is sending copies of the inspection plan to all identified owners and asking state amusement ride inspectors to assist in implementing the program. The CPSC will continue to monitor the inspections and take additional action as warranted.

The recalled product

Product
Monster amusement rides
Manufacturer
Eyerly Aircraft Company
Category
Consumer Product — Amusement Rides
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · structural failure

See all →