February 24, 2023

Mr. Tony Armlin

Ameream, LLC
One Meadowlands Plaza, 6th Floor
East Rutherford, NJ

RE: Initial Field Observation Report – Penguin Helicopter Theming Element

Dreamworks Waterpark at American Dream
FPA No. 9346.001

Mr. Armlin:

As you are aware, French & Parrello Associates (FPA) has provided Special Inspection and Construction
Observation services throughout the construction of the American Dream facility. Pursuant to your request, a
representative from our firm visited the site on February 19, 2023 to observe the Penguins Helicopter Theming
Element (see Photo 1). It was reported that this element had fallen earlier in the day. Subsequent to our initial
visit, FPA returned to the site for further observation in the following days. This correspondence is intended to
summarize our observations noted on site.

Initial Contact
FPA was contacted at approximately 3:40 PM on Sunday February 19, 2023 by park operation personnel with a report
that the helicopter theming element at the Penguins Frozen Fun Zone had fallen. A Representative of FPA was
immediately dispatched to the site to observe conditions. Upon arrival, it was observed that the large helicopter
element had fallen to the ground and into the pool at the base of the slides. The helicopter was upside down within
the pool and partially supported on the pool perimeter railing. See Photo 2.

Observations
Cable Condition
Upon initial observation, it appeared as though the primary support cable for the helicopter situated above the
propeller at hanging point 1 had parted within the length of the cable. See Photo 3. The anchorage to the base
building was intact. The connection between the cable and the helicopter was also intact. Tags that appeared to be
from original manufacture of the cable were present on the remaining cable near the roof. The tags indicated ½”
diameter 6x19 cable with a “WLL” (Working Load Limit) of 2.28 tons in the verical configuration and a 90’ length. See
Photo 10.

The remaining cable attached to the helicopter was reviewed. Minor discoloration that appeared to be oxidation was
present along it’s length. It was noted that one strand along the length appeared to be damaged or severed. See
photo 5. Subjectively, the intact portion of the cable appeared to be in serviceable condition without clear visual
indication of damage or defect that could potentially compromise the load carrying capability of the cable.
At the location where the cable separated, we reviewed the condition of the frayed end of the parted cable. Strands
with peculiar appearance were noted. Specifically, strands with a brazed appearance were observed. See Photo 6.
In addition, we observed strands that appeared fused and discolored similar to what would be expected from thermal
processes . See Photo 7.

The remaining cable attached to the roof anchorage was also reviewed. Observation of the location where the cable
parted noted that strands appeared fused and with discoloration corresponding to the condition depicted in Photo 7
from the lower portion of the cable. In addition, fraying was noted at the anchorage clevis. See Photo 11. It is not
believed this fraying contributed to the failure of the cable.

Apparent Mode of Failure

It is suspected that, subsequent to the primary cable parting, the load from hanging point 1 was transferred to the
cable attached at hanging point 2 on the tail of the element. Observations suggest that the cable at hanging point 2
remained intact, but the rigging point on the tail of the helicopter failed resulting in the helicopter falling. See Photo
4. The cable at hanging point 2 was eccentrically situated, so it is likely that the element experienced a swinging
motion when the primary cable parted.

The theming element mounted support connecting the cable to the tail of the helicopter at hanging point 2 was
observed. The post to the frame broke free when the helicopter fell. See Photo 9. The assembly was free and fully
detached from the frame of the theme element during the site visit. Based on the position of the helicopter on the
ground, it is suspected that the theming element mounted anchorages for hanging points 1 & 2 coincided with primary
impact points.

Adjacent Facilities
Upon reviewing site conditions and available information it was noted that the helicopter could have impacted
adjacent facilities when it fell. Specifically, the adjacent Dream Runner watercoaster and decorative cladding on the
column supporting that section of the Dream Runner may have been impacted.

Outrigger Connections
The Dream Runner beneath the helicopter was supported on outriggers mounted to a structural column. Knife plates
on the outrigger connect to flanges on the slide. At the column, the outriggers attach to the column with a connection
similar to clevis configuration. See photo 12. Access to the connections was limited due to the cladding on the
column, but observation of the visible connections and supporting column did not suggest damage or deformation.
The connection detail looked intact and undisturbed and there were no indications or deformation to the circular steel
column section. Since no damage was observed, it is our opinion that no further action is required.

Branch Element and Column Base Plate

A decorative branch feature attached to the tree façade was observed. Surface damage was noted that suggested
possible impact. In order to investigate further, park operations cut an approximately 12”x12” window in the cladding
to allow access to view the condition of the column and base plate in the vicinity of the branch. The anchor bolts and
flange for the column connection to the supporting foundation element did not show visual signs of damage or
deformation. See Photo 13. The access window also allowed for observation of the connection supporting the branch.
The branch appeared to have a knife plate connection to the base column. The weld to the knife plate appeared intact
and no deformation was noted in the plate or the supporting column. See Photo 14. Since no damage was observed,
it is our opinion that no further action is required.
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Pool Bottom
The condition of the pool bottom was reviewed once the helicopter was removed. There was no obvious indication
of structural damage or other conditions that would suggest the concrete slab pool bottom had been compromised
or sustained significant damage. Minor damage to the plaster lining and chipping to the concrete appeared superficial
in nature. Since no significant damage was observed, it is our opinion that no further action is required.

Helicopter Removal
Subsequent to review of the site by various stakeholders, a contractor was mobilized to remove the helicopter from
the pool and Waterpark area. The Contractor used a mobile boom crane to lift the feature. The weight of the
helicopter as indicated on the crane load cell was noted. The load cell indicated a total load of approximately 4800
lbs with a block and rigging weight of approximately 400 lbs. The resulting net load would represent that the weight
t of the helicopter was approximately 4400 lbs. It is noted that acrylic windshield and other decorative elements were
dislodged when the helicopter impacted the ground. It is suspected that the dislodged elements would weigh
approximately 200 lbs. As such, the estimated total weight of the helicopter in place is suspected to be approximately
4600 lbs.

Closing
Based on site observations, it is our preliminary opinion that the mode of failure involved a parting of the primary
cable at hanging point 1. Subsequent to the cable parting, the theme element likely experienced a swinging motion
and impacted adjacent facilities (the watercoaster). With the primary cable parted, load would have been transferred
to the cable at hanging point 2. When the load was transferred, the rigging point attached to the element at hanging
point 2 likely deformed and failed causing the element to fall.

Care was taken to preserve the remaining sections of the parted cable. The cable was removed from the helicopter
and ceiling without using destructive means or otherwise damaging the remaining cable. The cable was retained by
FPA to maintain a chain of custody and will be shipped to a consultant for review as determined by the Owner.

The remaining portion of hanging point 2 that was attached to the helicopter was also preserved. This assembly was
retained by FPA to maintain a chain of custody and will be shipped to a consultant for review as determined by the
Owner.

Based on the information described above, we believe that the actions taken on site have documented conditions
sufficiently and require no further action. The Owner has removed the helicopter and related components to a
protected storage location on the property. The incident area is being cleaned, restored, and prepared for official
inspection and readiness for reopening.

Further investigation should be conducted on the parted cable to explore whether the cable was damaged or other
defects were present that could have resulted in the cable parting. Further investigation of the cables could include
metallurgic analysis, material property testing, and observation of conditions under magnification. It is FPA’s opinion,
based on the observations described herein, that the cable conditions depicted in Photo 6 and Photo 7 below show
damage or defect that directly contributed to the failure of the cable.

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 Photo 1 – Helicopter Element during previous visit. Primary support visible at hub of propellers.

Photo 2 – Helicopter upon arrival on site.

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 Photo 3 – Left image is “lower” portion of the primary cable attached directly to helicopter. Right image is
remaining cable attached to base building.

Photo 4 – Left image is “lower” rigging point attached directly to helicopter. Right image is remaining cable
attached to base building.

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 Photo 5 – Minor discoloration appears to be oxidation. Small cut in cable strand apparent.

Photo 6 – Strands in parted wire with fused appearance.

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 Photo 7 - Strands that appeared fused and with discoloration similar to what would be expected from thermal
processes was observed

Photo 8 – Hanging point #1 at primary support cable in center of element. Hanging point #2 at secondary
support.
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 Photo 9 – Assembly at hanging point 2 was detached from the element. Left image of connection to element
frame. Right is image of opened connection point. It is assumed this was originally formed as a loop or hook and
subsequently deformed.

Photo 10 – Tags on wire rope.

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 Photo 11 -Fraying or otherwise damaged condition was noted at the anchorage clevis.

Photo 12 – Outrigger connection at Dream Runner support column.

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 Photo 13 – Access window in Dream Runner column cladding and baseplate condition.

Photo 14 – Column connection at branch on cladding for Dream Runner support column.

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