Energy Incident Register
Register / Wind (onshore) / EIR-1479
← Back to the list
Wind (onshore)United StatesEIR-1479

Planned detonation removes damaged blade at Cross Winds wind farm

2026Published 28 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorMechanical
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
turbine out of service for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
Cross Winds Energy Park near Akron, Tuscola County, Michigan
Operator
Consumers Energy
What
Damaged blade removed by planned detonation
Cause
Believed lightning strike several months earlier

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Consumers Energy

What happened

A damaged wind turbine blade at the Cross Winds Energy Park near Akron in Tuscola County, Michigan, was removed by planned detonation on a Sunday evening. The site is operated by Consumers Energy. The blade had been damaged several months earlier and had been making noise when windy. Residents in the rural area had been notified in advance via social media that the detonation would take place between noon and 6 p.m., although the blast occurred later. The loud report was heard across the surrounding area.

Contributing factors

The blade is believed to have been damaged by a lightning strike several months earlier.

Lessons learned

  1. A lightning damaged blade left in place for months produced noise in wind, so operators should remove such blades without delay to avoid nuisance and further failure.
  2. Controlled detonation of a blade at height needs timed notice to residents, as the blast occurred later than stated and was heard across the area.

More lessons on weather and external hazards, structural integrity and turbines, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Confirmed cause of the damage
  • Turbine model and age
  • Length of downtime
  • Cost of the removal

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

abc12.com

Site page: Cross Winds Energy Park (status, dates and other incidents)

Published 2026-09-28. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

See the register's stories first in Google: add it as a preferred source.

Chart to reuse with this story: Wind (onshore) incidents in the United States, by year, free with a credit (PNG).

Wind (onshore) incidents in the United States: 105 entries, with a free alert for the next one.

Wind turbine fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: wind turbine blade failures.

Browse the full register or submit an incident.