WALKWAY DISASTER

Summary:
On 1981, Kansas City Hyatt Regency walk-way collapse received extensive coverage in the New
York Times some four years after its occurrence.
A judge, James B. Deutsch, found the structural engineers for the Hyatt Regency Hotel guilty of
gross negligence in the 1981 collapse of two suspended walkways in the hotel lobby that killed
114 people.
Responsibility for the collapse, it was decided lay in the engineering design for the suspended
walk-ways. A major cause of fatalities was the landing of the concrete 4th floor walkway onto
the crowded 2nd floor walkway.
Discovered a significant change in the design of the walkways.
The picture below explains the difference between the design and the actual.

Violation to the Code of Ethics:

II.1.a
If engineers judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life of property,
they shall notify their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate.
Explanation:
The engineer of the walkway must notify the client in order to avoid the accident
II.1.b. Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in conformity with
applicable standards.

Explanation:
The engineers of the walkway have neglected some standard which threaten many peoples lives.
III.1.a

Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the facts.

Explanation:
The engineers must recognize the mistake and they must be ready to be put in the jail.
III.2.a. Engineers are encouraged to participate in civic affairs, career guidance for youths; and
work for the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of their community.
Explanation:
What the engineers do have proved that they do not concern about the advancement and the wellbeing of the community.
Stakeholders and their Interest:
1.

Hyatt City Management: responsible to the construction and all things regarding to the
building.

2.

Engineer: designs the walkway.

3.

Public: must be assured that they are safe to use the walkway.

Conclusion:
It is clear that the mistake is on the Hyatt City Management and Engineer. They have lied to the
public. They did not realize that this action will endanger the public safety and also endanger the
trust of the public to the engineers. This action must be punished with a great punishment in
order to make them wary and also to warn other engineers who want to act like them.