Son of Beast was a colossal wooden roller coaster at Kings Island, boasting several accolades. It was the world’s tallest, fastest wooden coaster, and the only wooden coaster with a vertical loop. Paramount, the park’s owner, aimed to make a significant mark in the coaster wars of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Competing with other parks, Paramount looked to attract thrill seekers with this record breaking ride.
RCCA’s Flawed Designed
The Roller Coaster Corporation of America (RCCA) designed Son of Beast. However, RCCA had a reputation for poorly designed coasters. They often underbid on projects, promising lower cost compared to other manufacturers.
This strategy led many parks, including Kings Island, to choose them. Unfortunately, the cost cutting measures resulted in subpar construction and significant safety concerns.
Construction Challenges and RCCA’s Firing
During construction, numerous problems arose. RCCA’s design flaws became evident, causing delays and structural issues. Kings Island had to fire RCCA before the ride was complete due to these persistent problems. RCAA’s firing highlighted the extent of the challenges faced during the ride’s construction.
Why Son of Beast Was So Rough
Son of Beast’s roughness was caused from several design and construction flaws. One critical issue was the limit of bents on the ride. In high stress areas like valleys and turns, the number of bents should be doublet handle increased G-forces. However, RCCA placed the same number of bents in high stress areas as in low stress parts. This caused the track to sag between bents, as they were too far apart. The coaster’s high speeds made even small imperfections in the structure quickly noticeable, resulting in a rough ride experience.
The Vertical Loop’s impact
the vertical loop, the smoothest part of Son of Beast, ironically contributed to the ride’s roughness. to complete the loop, the coaster required heavy trains. These heavy trains made the structural stress on the wooden track worse, contributing to the coaster rough nature.
Lawsuit Between Paramount and RCCA
Son of beast’s issues caused Paramount to sue RCCA. paramount claimed that RCCA’s design flaws and poor construction practices led to the coaster’s numerous problems. The legal battle emphasized the deep rooted issues with the coaster’s design and construction.
Cedar Fair’s Acquisition
In 2006, Cedar Fair acquired all Paramount parks, including Kings Island. Just days after the acquisition, a significant incident occurred on Son of Beast.
The 2006 Accident
On July 9, 2006, a serious accident on Son of Beast sent 27 people to the hospital. The track sagged five inches, causing a violent, jarring experience similar to a car accident for the riders. This incident highlighted the coaster’s ongoing safety issues and raised major concerns.
Investigation Findings
SCA Limited conducted an investigation to determine the cause of the structural failure. The findings revealed that the track’s structural integrity was compromised due to the design flaws and inadequate support in Hugh stress areas. The sagging track was a direct result of these issues.
Post Accident Changes
Following the accident, Kings Island made significant changes. They replaced the heavy trains with lighter trains from the defunct Hurricane coaster from Myrtle Beach Pavilion.
These lighter trains could not make make it through the loop, leading to the loop’s removal. Son of Beast reopened on July 4, 2007, without the loop. However, the lighter trains did not improve the ride’s roughness, and some claimed it became even rougher.
Demolition and Legacy
In 2012, Son of Beast was demolished, ending its troubled history. Today, Banshee, the B&M invert coaster stands in its place, offering a smoother and more reliable ride experience. Despite its flaws, Son of Beast remains a significant part of Kings Island’s history remembered for its ambitious design and history.