scope:

Description of Driving Event:

At the Kennedy Space Center on August 11, 1992, in Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) High Bay #1, the 250 Ton crane #1 was stacking the left forward Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) segment for STS52 at 0009 hours EDT. While moving the segment north, crane #1 trolley suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated. The crane operator reacted and brought the segment to rest without contacting any structure or work platforms. During the incident the segment was estimated to have attained a maximum velocity of 50 feet per minute and moved 7 feet to the north over a period of 17 seconds. Had the segment moved an additional 6.5 feet, it would have contacted the work platform. This type of mishap is defined as a close call because no personnel injuries or damage to hardware was sustained. The crane operation was being performed by a contractor in support of SRM mating operations which were being performed by another contractor. Both contractors are members of the Shuttle Processing Contractor (SPC) Team at the Kennedy Space Center.