Elevator Counterweight Collides with Passenger Car After Leaving Guide Tracks

Location: Vancouver

Regulated industry sector: Elevating Devices

Incident overview

The counterweight of a freight elevator in a 32‑floor high‑rise office building came off its guide tracks while the elevator was descending without passengers. The free‑swinging counterweight struck the bottom of the passenger car, bending and tearing its metal frame and breaking the counterweight guide assembly. Two 50‑lb balancing weights dislodged and fell from the 17th floor into the elevator pit. The incident triggered the elevator’s overspeed safety circuit, stopping its operation.