Maine ski lift that malfunctioned had passed last inspection (The Associated Press)
An inspection last fall found no problems that foreshadowed a mechanical malfunction at Sugarloaf that allowed a chairlift to begin moving in reverse, injuring seven skiers at the state’s tallest ski mountain. The Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety required the replacement of a hydraulic pump, repair of the two-way voice communication system and servicing of an auxiliary power unit. All repairs were completed, and the lift passed inspection. A lift attendant manually activated an emergency brake that stopped the 27-year-old quad lift even though a last-resort system that’s akin to putting a stick in the spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel failed to activate as it was supposed to, officials said.