Enterprise mobile amusement ride
CPSC Recall #84-031 - May 9, 1984
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 84-031 |
| Recall Date | May 9, 1984 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Repair |
| Units Affected | Seven mobile units and 12 stationary Enterprise sites |
Product
Enterprise mobile amusement ride
Description
Washington, D. C. -- After a thorough investigation of an accident involving the "Enterprise" amusement ride, on October 17, 1983, at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, in which one rider died and at least three persons were hospitalized, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced an interim corrective action plan for mobile "Enterprise" rides operating in the United States.The vote was 3 to 1 to accept the corrective action plan. Commissioners Stuart M. Statler, Terrence M. Scanlon and Saundra Brown Armstrong voted for the plan. CPSC Chairman Nancy Harvey Steorts dissented (dissent attached).The Enterprise ride is one of the most popular amusement rides in this country. The incident in Texas occurred when one car of the Enterprise separated from the sweep arm of the ride and fell onto the midway of the Fair. The ride was operated by Continental Park Attractions and manufactured by Heinr, Wilhelm Huss & Company of West Germany.The corrective action, which is to be implemented by Huss Trading Corporation in conjunction with owners of 6 similar mobile Enterprise rides operating in the United States, would include upgrading key structural components of the rides to bring them up to the latest manufacturing design.The plan will require intensive inspections—on a daily, monthly, and annual basis—by ride owners and operators, in an effort to detect early-on the presence of significant structural damage or other problems affecting the Enterprise ride so as to avert similar tragedies in the future.The voluntary plan with the CPSC covers only mobile Enterprise rides (those transported from site to site) since the CPSC has no jurisdiction over rides permanently fixed to a site. However, the CPSC intends to provide information on this corrective action plan to all identified Huss Enterprise ride owners in this country in an effort to ensure total ride safety.Additionally, State officials will be requested to assist in the monitoring of the interim plan for the Enterprise. Presently 23 States regulate the operation of amusement rides in some manner or another.The Commission is continuing its investigation of the Dallas incident. Meanwhile, it will monitor inspections by the owners and take additional action where warranted.The investigation to date has led to inspections of most of the mobile Huss Enterprise rides and uncovered a number of examples of structural and other cracks, inadequate re-welds, missing turn buckles, loose screws and incomplete inspections.While not admitting the need for corrective action, the distributor of the ride, the Huss Trading Corporation of America, has agreed to work with the Commission in implementing the plan developed in cooperation with the Commission and the following mobile ride owners: Conklin Shows, West Palm Beach, Florida; Continental Park Attractions, East Karminsdale, New York; Foley and Burke Combined Shows, Redwood City, California; FunTastic Rides, Portland, Oregon; Klaesan Brothers, Ft. Pierce, Florida; Murphy Brothers Expo, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and James E. Strates Shows, Orlando, Florida.In addition to the seven mobile units, there are 12 stationary Enterprise sites in the following locations: Brooklyn, New York; Sandusky, Ohio; Aurora, Ohio; Hershey, Pennsylvania; West Mifflin, Pennsylvania; Seattle, Washington; Wildwood, New Jersey; Haines City, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Warwick Neck, Rhode Island; Shakopee, Minnesota; and Kansas City, Missouri.Further information on this corrective action plan can be obtained by calling the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.Dissenting OpinionChairman Nancy Harvey SteortsCorrective Action PlanEnterprise Amusement Park RideMay 9, 1984I have voted against the interim corrective action plan for the Enterprise Amusement Park Ride because I believe that it does not provide sufficient safeguards for the American Consumer. I am particularly concerned that there is no secondary safety back-up system nor an adequate warning system to alert the operator in the event of a structural failure.The staff investigation yielded four potential defects: 1) inadequate car strength and/or bearing block holders strength; 2) inadequate safety instructions for owners and operators; 3) inadequate notice of weight limit of passengers; and 4) inadequate inspection and maintenance. Three of these four defects are rectified by the plan approved by the Commission.The most important potential defect, structural integrity, in my opinion, has not been adequately addressed by the corrective action plan.The tragic death and injuries that occurred at the Dallas State Fair last Fall were a direct result of a structural failure. At this point it is not known whether this structural failure was the result of poor operation, maintenance or a design defect. The plan does include a requirement that certain stress points be made stronger but this does not satisfy my concern.I believe that the manufacturer should add a back-up safety system and a warning system to address the risk of structural failure. In this era of technological advancement, I feel such a system can be developed and would thus provide adequate safety for the consumer.
Hazard
After a thorough investigation of an accident involving the "Enterprise" amusement ride, on October 17, 1983, at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, in which one rider died and at least three persons were hospitalized, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced an interim corrective action plan for mobile "Enterprise" rides operating in the United States.
Incidents & Injuries
An accident involving the "Enterprise" amusement ride occured on October 17, 1983, at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, in which one rider died and at least three persons were hospitalized.
Remedy Instructions
The corrective action, which is to be implemented by Huss Trading Corporation in conjunction with owners of 6 similar mobile Enterprise rides operating in the United States, would include upgrading key structural components of the rides to bring them up to the latest manufacturing design.The plan will require intensive inspections—on a daily, monthly, and annual basis—by ride owners and operators, in an effort to detect early-on the presence of significant structural damage or other problems affecting the Enterprise ride so as to avert similar tragedies in the future.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Inspect, Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.