YOUR COMMENTS

this ride is state of the art built in britain not american rubbish and cost about 3 quarts of a million dollars the company that builds them have done for nrly 30 years
- billy, glasgow

Important distinction: Such a letter comes from the manufacturer who claims that the ride was built in accordance with ASTM standards. ASTM does not evaluate ride designs or inspect rides, and therefore does not offer the certification.
- Dave Althoff, Columbus, OH

I have seen those, they look something like:

ASTM F-24 Certification Letter

Vendor hereby certifies that the equipment provided by Vendor to Owner for _________ was designed, manufactured, installed and tested in general conformance to ASTM F-24 Standards for Amusement Rides and Devices

Vendor further acknowledges that the subject equipment installation and testing is complete, and that the equipment is ready for service within the instructions set out in the Operations and Maintenance Manuals provided to the Owner

Should the Configuration, Operation of Maintenance of the equipment noted require changes, a bulletin will be issued immediately to the Owner

Vendor rep's: Name, Sig, Date
- Joe, Anaheim, CA

You're on the right track here.

Don't give up.

Never forget: No "passenger" rides unless they have been checked by an attendant.

And they hire the best of the best for that.
- RP, New Boston

was about 20 feet off the ground when she was lobbed........
Lobbed? I don't think the ride lobbed her, you lob a softball, or an object, it sounds like a 8th grade kid wrote this, how about ejected or something that actually describes the accident and at least make it sound like you have some compassion for the poor girl.
- Bob Newton, Freedom

This ride is intense. But with all the restraints in place; shoulder restraints down, side rail, and crotch horn, it seems virtually impossible for a person to be ejected. If the shoulder bar was down when the ride stopped than it was down the whole time. They automatically lock when lowered into place, but they must be lowered by hand. therefore there is no way it could have opened/raised up to eject the rider and then lowered itself again. There is no device on these to automatically lower them. However, with all the rain N. E. has had this spring and summer, one has to wonder if that effected the rides circuits over the course of the season.
- Mark, Bangor ME

I have to admit, it's a little creepy that something with that many moving parts is hauled all over creation on a flatbed, set up, and put into use the same day. Yikes!
- AG, Berlin

I went on this ride the day before the girl flew off. Now, I love thrill rides....but this ride is evil! Seriously, I read another article that said the spinning force of the ride keeps you in your seat while you are almost parallel to the ground. That is bull. All of your weight is on those shoulder harnesses & there is no strap or anything keeping them in place. They click down & that's it. Nothing to be sure that if there is a mechanical failure you won't come out of the seat. My 12 year old & I went on it & he hated it too. This is one ride that is truly unsafe & reminds me of why I never used to allow my kids on fair rides.
- Rebecca, Rochester

Kevin beat me to my first comment: If Lockwood is waiting for ASTM certification he will be waiting a very long time.

Marc, the point is that something about the way riders are contained on the ride allowed a rider to come out. That would be a design flaw. If the design can be adapted, completion of that adaptation would correct the design flaw and allow the ride to operate again.

Duct tape might work, but that could get messy. Lengths of clothesline would be a little more complicated, but less messy, and re-usable...
8-)
- Dave Althoff, Columbus, OH

Marc, consider re-reading the article. The article is clear about the fact that they would only reopen the ride if it was found safe, which would mean that there is no design flaw.
- Peter, Jaffrey

ASTM does not certify amusement rides. They do publish the consensus standards for amusement rides, but a third party review is required to certify that the rides meet those standards.
- Kevin Russell, Charlotte NC

When the fair came to Manchester's JFK earlier this year, I specifically remember two people being stuck in the seats and not able to get off. My daughter was waiting in line for the ride, and it took around 15 minutes to get the first guy free. We saw the second person about an hour later, in a different seat, not able to get off because the harness was jammed closed.
- Doug, Manchester

Ok, somebody help me out here....If there's a design flaw, why would this ride even be considered for re-opening? What are they going to do, duct tape riders in?
- Marc L., Manchester