Overview
- Fox LA obtained footage showing a large electrical arc flash on the SkyLink tracks during a test run that produced sparks, smoke and a visible blast.
- Light-rail expert Timothy Borchers called the event one of the most severe flashovers he has seen and warned it could lead to a catastrophic electrical incident.
- Los Angeles World Airports and contractor LINXS said no passengers were onboard, that repairs have been completed, and that system demonstration testing has restarted.
- Passenger service still requires 30 consecutive days of successful testing, an independent LAWA assessment, and a finalized power agreement with LADWP, so a January start date is not guaranteed.
- The incident comes as the SkyLink project faces years of delays, roughly $3.3 billion in total costs and ongoing legal disputes, increasing public and political pressure to prove the system is safe.