Failure of a multi-point suspended scaffold platform at the Ambassador Bridge resulted in three workers falling into the Detroit River and subsequently resulting in the death of one of the workers. At the time of the incident, the 30 feet by 60 feet suspended platform was being used to provide access to the underside of the bridge structure for re-painting. The suspension anchors on the east side of the platform apparently failed, causing a progressive collapse of the platform into the river.

Dr. Pilette was retained to provide a reconstruction of the events that led to the failure of the suspension system and collapse of the platform. The components of the failed suspended platform had been recovered from the river and were available for examination.

Dr. Pilette's team reviewed the design, drawings and specifications of the suspended platform, followed by a thorough visual examination of the platform and suspension anchor components. The visual physical examination of the evidence was complemented by macroscopic metallurgical examination of select components. Dr. Pilette reconstructed the events that led to the collapse by analyzing the failure mode of all components and associated wear and tear patterns. Other failure scenarios were hypothesized and discarded as part of the investigation.

The findings of the investigation indicated that advanced wear and tear of the suspension system had been overlooked, thereby leading to the breakdown of the equipment. During an attempt at repairing the equipment, the adjacent suspension anchor was inadvertently overloaded and failed, thereby redistributing the dead weight of the platform and causing the failure of other worn down suspension anchors. The east side of the suspended platform fell, and in the process damaged the life line where the workers were tied off. Three workers fell more than 100 feet into the river.