Contractor Cited in Deadly Airport Hangar Collapse

A federal investigation into a deadly airport hangar collapse near the Boise Airport found that the building contractor ignored standard safety procedures and visible warning signs during construction.

Three workers were killed and at least eight others were injured in the collapse in January 2024.

OSHA investigators said contractor Big D Builders Inc. began construction of the hangar without using sufficient bracing or tensioning guy wires.  

Investigators also said the company ignored numerous signals the structure was unstable, and continued to add bays to the football field-sized project. 

Those warning signs included visibly curved, bent, and wavy structural I-beams, unbalanced columns, and several snapped wire rope cables.

OSHA officials said the bays were visibly not straight, critical connecting bolts were loose, and improper straps were for bracing. 

Serious Violations

“Big D Builders’ blatant disregard for federal safety regulations cost three workers their lives and caused at least eight others to suffer painful injuries,” said OSHA area director David Kearns.

Investigators also said the contractor did not train workers properly and allowed equipment to be used in unsafe conditions. 

OSHA cited Big D Builders for four violations and proposed $198,586 in penalties.

“Blatant disregard for federal safety regulations cost three workers their lives.”

OSHA’s David Kearns

The crane company involved in the collapse was also cited and fined $10,163 for exposing workers to collapse hazards.

OSHA gave the companies 15 days to comply with the citations, request an informal conference, or contest the findings. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,056 construction workers died on the job in 2022.