Two Spider Cranes Fall During Rooftop Lift in New York City

Meagan Wood
Apr 6, 2025
3 min read

30-Second Takeaway

Two spider cranes fell approximately 40–50 metres onto first-floor scaffolding in New York City on Friday, April 4th, after a rooftop lifting operation went wrong. A Unic URW-596 spider crane positioned on the roof of a 12-storey building was lifting a second spider crane when it reportedly slipped over the edge, causing both machines to fall. No injuries were reported. Authorities are expected to review the incident, and the site had reportedly been cited days earlier for unsafe hoisting methods.

Incident Overview

A serious crane-on-crane lifting incident occurred on Friday, August 1, at a construction site on Ninth Avenue in New York City.

The incident involved two spider cranes that fell from height during a rooftop lifting operation at a 12-storey building.

What Is Known

Location: Ninth Avenue, New York City
Date: Friday, April 4th
Building height: 12 storeys
Crane involved: Unic URW-596 spider crane (on the roof)
Fall distance: Approximately 40–50 metres
Injuries: None reported

The rooftop crane was lifting a second spider crane from the ninth floor to the tenth floor when the incident occurred.

Apparent Sequence of Events

Information received so far indicates that:

The rooftop Unic URW-596 was hoisting a second spider crane
During the lift, the top crane slipped over the building edge
Both cranes then fell together onto first-floor scaffolding below

No official cause has yet been confirmed.

Site Safety Context

We have been informed that the site had reportedly been cited several days earlier for unsafe hoisting methods.

This information has not yet been independently confirmed, but may form part of any regulatory review or investigation.

Emergency Response

No workers were injured
The area was secured following the incident
Scaffolding absorbed much of the impact, preventing further damage

The absence of injuries in a fall of this magnitude is considered extremely fortunate.

Investigation Status

At the time of publication:

No official investigation findings have been released
Authorities are expected to examine:
- Lift planning and method statements
- Crane-on-crane lifting procedures
- Load control and edge protection
- Rooftop stability and exclusion zones
- Compliance with hoisting regulations

Crane Hub Global will update this article as verified information becomes available.

Why Spider Crane Drop Incidents Occur

Spider crane incidents during rooftop operations can occur when:

Lifts involve multiple machines with limited redundancy
Edge protection and restraint systems are insufficient
Load control is compromised near roof edges
Lift planning does not fully account for dynamic movement
Temporary conditions differ from rated configurations

Spider cranes offer flexibility, but margins can be narrow when operating at height.

Industry Reminder

Rooftop crane operations combine height risk, load transfer, and limited recovery options. When something slips, consequences escalate instantly.

This incident reinforces the importance of disciplined lift planning, edge protection, and conservative decision-making, particularly when lifting cranes with cranes.

Editorial Note

Crane Hub Global reports on crane and lifting incidents to support industry awareness, technical understanding, and prevention. Where information is unconfirmed, this is clearly stated. This article will be updated as verified findings are released.