As previously reported on Cranes Today, data reported on an hourly basis from Mecca airport had shown wind speeds reaching 22kph, or 6m/s, well below the crane’s safe operating wind speed of 9m/s.

New information from CNN, Liebherr says, show wind speeds were far higher, reaching 80kph, or 22m/s. Liebherr’s own data, taken from a tower crane anemometer at the site show wind speeds reaching 105kph, or 29m/s, far in excess of safe operational wind speeds.

Liebherr says its experts’ findings, passed to Saudi authorities, show no fault with the crane, and the boom should have been lowered. In a statement, the company said, "The operating instructions of the LR 11350 and the associated wind speed charts show that the crawler crane could not withstand such a high wind load and that the boom should have been lowered to the ground preventatively to avoid the tilting of the crawler crane."

The company added that the tragic accident demonstrates the influence of wind speed on cranes, and the importance of unconditional compliance with operating instructions.