Workers Flagged Defects Day Before Boise Hanger Collapse
According to the Idaho Statesman, workers constructing the airplane hangar in Boise, Idaho, which collapsed and resulted in the deaths of three individuals in January, purportedly raised concerns with supervisors regarding bent beams, snapped cables, and other structural issues. Employees at the Boise Airport site reportedly brought up these concerns on Jan. 30, the day before the collapse occurred during construction of the privately owned hangar.
Big D Builders, based in Meridian, Idaho, was responsible for the project.. Among the fatalities were Craig Durrant, 59, co-founder of the company, Mario Sontay Tzi, 32, and Mariano Coc Och, 24.
At least two employees of Big D Builders informed the police that they had expressed concerns to the project supervisor. Additionally, a supervisor from Boise-based Inland Crane, involved in the project, mentioned informing Durrant that the beams appeared problematic. Another crane operator claimed that the project lacked adequate support for overhead beams, deeming the practice unusual and suggesting shortcuts were taken.
The Boise Police Department forwarded its findings to OSHA on Feb. 2. OSHA typically refrains from commenting on ongoing investigations, which often last for months.
During a police interview, Dennis Durrant, owner of Big D Builders and brother of Craig Durrant, admitted that the beams had been "bowing" before the incident. He disclosed contacting an unspecified manufacturer due to insufficient supports for the hangar's frame.
The Durrant brothers were at the center of the worksite when they heard sounds of breaking, prompting them to flee to the perimeter. Dennis Durrant recounted to the police that the building collapsed within seconds, according to the Statesman.
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