NEWS: Kingda Ka

[PhishyBrewer]

Maybe I still can get my credit for Kingda Ka after all, during Labor Day Weekend

 

Jul 23, 2005 1:50 pm US/Eastern

(1010 WINS) (JACKSON, N.J.) It may be the world's tallest roller coaster, but the Kingda Ka sure isn't living up to its billing as the world's fastest.

 

More than a month after a malfunction during a test run damaged some parts, Six Flags Great Adventure's much-touted coaster remains closed.

 

The 456-foot-tall coaster opened to great fanfare in May, only to be closed June 8 after a malfunction during a test run. No one was on board at the time.

 

A Six Flags spokeswoman said Friday that the park plans to have the ride reopened soon.

 

"Certainly, many guests are disappointed," said Kristen Siebeneicher. "It's the world's tallest and fastest coaster, so there has been a great deal of anticipation for customers."

 

The entire ride lasts less than 51 seconds, catapulting its riders down a track from a standstill to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds, then shooting them up at a 90-degree angle to more than 45 stories in the air. At the top, the coaster slows almost to a stop before it plunges, twisting as it hurtles straight back down to earth.

 

The damage was caused when a bolt holding down heavy plastic liner broke, causing the liner to come loose and damage parts underneath where the car initially launches, Siebeneicher said.

 

She said that during the malfunction the car stayed on the track and slowed to a stop. Some of the parts that broke landed around the coaster cars, but not inside them.

 

Siebeneicher declined to say whether people who had been on the ride before the malfunction had been in danger, saying the question was "hypothetical."

 

Repairing the ride has taken time because some of the parts were custom made and had to be specially manufactured by Swiss company Intamin AG. Liner bolts were enlarged and increased in number to prevent future problems.

 

Engineers began testing the ride on Thursday. State Department of Community Affairs inspectors still need to clear it before it reopens.

 

Until then, Six Flags has pulled broadcast advertising mentioning the Kingda Ka and posted messages on its Web site and outside the park telling would-be visitors that the ride is closed.

 

The park had a special deal in which season pass holders had exclusive access to the Kingda Ka from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Fridays. The park instead is allowing them to ride other coasters.

 

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[coasterdude5]

It's about time! :?