Catastrophic Wind Turbine Collapse - Asia

Incident Summary

A wind turbine at a South Asian wind farm experienced catastrophic failure during a storm, resulting in the complete collapse of the tower and severe damage to all primary components.

Envista’s Investigation

Envista was appointed by insurers to investigate the cause of the incident. With numerous turbines operating at the site and storm activity common in the region, uncovering the root cause was essential for risk mitigation.

Findings and Conclusion

Envista determined that the collapse was caused by a failure in the blade pitch control system. This critical system, responsible for adjusting blade angles to both maximize performance and safeguard the turbine during high winds, failed to feather the blades. As a result, the blades were not aligned parallel to the wind, subjecting the structure to excessive stress and ultimately triggering the collapse.