Most people don’t worry about danger when they visit their favorite amusement park. Thousands of roller coasters and smaller rides safely operate every day and offer passengers fun and excitement. However, the occasional news story about a ride malfunction that has trapped, injured, or killed riders does surface. On June 14, 2018, for example, the first car of a roller coaster called the “Sandblaster” in Daytona Beach, Florida derailed and dangled from its track. Two passengers remained hanging in the derailed four-person car, while the other two passengers fell to the ground, more than thirty feet below. Six other people in the remaining cars were hospitalized. According to the ensuing investigation, excessive speed caused the derailment, and the ride showed evidence of previous, unreported derailments and structural integrity issues. Proper maintenance and inspection techniques would have likely prevented the incident from occurring.

According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), amusement park guests have a one-in-seventeen-million chance of being injured on a permanently-fixed ride. Ride inspectors and NDT technicians work to prevent catastrophes, like the Sandblaster derailment, so visitors may enjoy safe visits to their favorite amusement parks. Inspectors check amusement park rides regularly to detect areas of weakness in cars, tracks, supports, and safety devices. Inspectors use Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) and Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPI) to search for cracks in metal components, such as tracks, spindles, metal columns, and support beams. Both ultrasonic testing and radiography are used to see inside steel beams and detect flaws that are not visible on the surface. Welders often repair cracks that occur along the tracks of steel roller coasters. As nondestructive testing ensures the safety and structural integrity of bridges, underwater pipelines, and steel hulls, NDT also keeps roller coasters and amusement park rides safe and enjoyable for thrill-seekers around the globe.