Wind turbine explodes and topples - GIF

**Jon** · Dec 22, 2018, 10:24 AM

Wind turbine explodes and topples.

Previously:

Wind turbine blade counterweight - GIF
Flat packing a wind turbine - GIF
Enormous wind turbine blade transported over stone arch bridge - GIF

**rgsparber** · Dec 22, 2018, 04:29 PM

The fact that it was captured on video tells me they wanted to record this failure.

Rick

**toma** · Dec 23, 2018, 12:36 AM

Before the blade failure..one explosion on the ground happened..!

**astroracer** · Dec 23, 2018, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by toma

Before the blade failure..one explosion on the ground happened..!

The impact on the ground is from a piece of one of the blades as it starts to come apart. And I agree with Rick on the "wanting it to happen" speculation. Insurance maybe? Letting it spin itself apart is cheaper then demolition costs?... Who knows...
Mark

**Philip Davies** · Dec 23, 2018, 03:05 AM

There seems to be a vehicle close to the base explosion, which narrowly escaped destruction.

**mklotz** · Dec 23, 2018, 08:28 AM

If the mechanism that feathers the blades in high winds fails, the blades will spin faster and faster. Folks living nearby might notice the speedup and anticipate what the results might be.

Recently I watched a TV documentary that described the problems they're having with erosion of the leading edges of the blades and the efforts required to repair said damage before a blade fracture occurs. While blade weakening may certainly be a factor here, I think the real culprit is malfunction of the feathering equipment and the resultant overspeeding of the blades.

**tonyfoale** · Feb 21, 2026, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by mklotz

If the mechanism that feathers the blades in high winds fails, the blades will spin faster and faster. Folks living nearby might notice the speedup and anticipate what the results might be.

Recently I watched a TV documentary that described the problems they're having with erosion of the leading edges of the blades and the efforts required to repair said damage before a blade fracture occurs. While blade weakening may certainly be a factor here, I think the real culprit is malfunction of the feathering equipment and the resultant overspeeding of the blades.

I thought that failure to regulate speed in high winds was the reason for failure.

**astroracer** · Dec 23, 2018, 11:42 AM

That makes sense to me...

thanks Marv.

**Toolmaker51** · Dec 24, 2018, 12:03 PM

All good analyses, including insurance. The explosion at base might be fracturing bolts and footing. Interesting to me; two lowest blades about 120° and 240° fly off at their respective angle. Third blade however launches good as vertical, not re-entering GIF frame til 3-4 seconds later. If the speed shown by the lower blades any indication, #3 near certainly flew up 1 blade length, because it appears to have flipped end for end! Holy Moley!
So Marv, what altitude can be calculated as attained?

**tonyfoale** · Feb 21, 2026, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

..... Third blade however launches good as vertical, not re-entering GIF frame til 3-4 seconds later. If the speed shown by the lower blades any indication, #3 near certainly flew up 1 blade length, because it appears to have flipped end for end! Holy Moley!
So Marv, what altitude can be calculated as attained?

I am not Marv but this is pretty elementary. The falling would have taken the same time as the time rising so if we say 2 secs to fall, the distance is 1/2 x a x t^2.
a = 9.807 so the altitude = 1/2 x 9.807 x 2^2 = 19.6 say 20 m. This ignores aerodynamic drag so if that is taken into account the height would be less.