Two Spider Cranes Fall During Rooftop Lift in New York City
- Meagan Wood
- Apr 7, 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.
How Incidents Like This Can Be Prevented
Engineered Lift Planning
Crane-on-crane lifts require formal engineering review, not informal site decisions.
Edge Protection and Restraint
Secondary restraint systems should be considered when lifting equipment near roof edges.
Exclusion Zones Below
Strict exclusion zones are essential beneath elevated lifting operations.
Regulatory Compliance
Previous safety citations should trigger immediate corrective action before further lifting.
Independent Lift Review
High-risk lifts benefit from third-party verification before execution.
