LAX’s embattled ‘People Mover’ malfunctions with massive arc flash during routine test of train

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The opening of the new SkyLink people-mover train at Los Angeles International Airport keeps getting delayed, and newly published video of a malfunction might reveal part of the reason why.

Footage obtained by Fox LA from late September shows a massive electrical blast followed by fire and smoke on the tracks amid a test run of the highly anticipated train.

People-mover expert Timothy Borchers said the incident is called an arc flash, or flashover, which results from electrical issues relating to the path of the electrical current. Borchers said the video was concerning.

“This is one of the most severe flashovers I’ve ever witnessed,” he told Fox LA. “It could lead to a potentially catastrophic electrical incident.”

Borcher, who already reviewed reports of four flashovers at LAX, said there should be measures in place to immediately extinguish the flashover as soon as it begins. Instead, the video shows the electrical blasts continuing for a noticeable period.

Los Angeles World Airports, in response to the video, pointed to a website that stated that arc flashes are not uncommon during testing.

LINXS, the contractor for the project, told Fox LA that “the system responded as designed, and System Demonstration Testing has restarted.”

“LINXS remains committed to working with LAWA to successfully deliver the Automated People Mover and provide a world-class transportation system for the Los Angeles region,” it added in a statement.

The 2.25-mile automated train, which would move people in between terminals, was supposed to open in 2023. It’s part of a $3.3 billion project that includes transportation between economy parking, the rental car center and the LAX Metro Transit Center.

Instead, the opening has been pushed to sometime in January — after LINXS noted it would fail a December completion deadline.

The train needs 30 days of successful consecutive testing and has to receive an independent overview and an assessment by Los Angeles World Airports. In addition, an utility agreement with LA Department of Water & Power also needs to be completed.

The contractor said not even the January start date could be guaranteed.

“There can be no assurances that achievement of the Passenger Service Availability Date will not be delayed further,” the contractor said in the filing.

Officials have announced that the project is more than 99% complete, yet it has been embroiled in a bitter legal fight and cost overruns.

SkyLink, formerly known as the Automated People Mover, began construction in 2019 with an original projected construction budget of $1.9 billion. After years of delays and contract disputes, the project’s cost has ballooned to $3.34 billion, including $1.34 billion in additional city payouts.

The new video has sparked refreshed criticism of the project, including from former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.

“A BILLION dollars+ over budget, years behind schedule, contractor suing Karen Bass for delays, and now the LAX people mover, which has yet to move any people, is now arcing and catching on fire,” Pratt said on X. “Forget the 3rd World…Karen Bass has turned LA into a 4th World country.”

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