Crane Collapse at SpaceX Starbase Texas Triggers OSHA Investigation

A construction crane collapsed on June 23 at SpaceX's rocket development site in Starbase, Texas, while clearing debris from a recent Starship test explosion. The incident was recorded from a distance by content creator Lab Padre, leaving uncertainty about any injuries or personnel impact. SpaceX has not publicly addressed the crane collapse, continuing its pattern of silence on non-spaceflight-related incidents, despite typically sharing updates on rocket test failures. Starbase, the newly incorporated city encompassing the SpaceX facility and led by SpaceX executives, has also remained unresponsive to multiple requests for information, raising concerns about governmental transparency. The city is financially dependent on SpaceX, having secured a $1.5 million operational loan from the company through September 2025. This event serves as an early test of Starbase’s commitment to transparency as it governs a community largely composed of SpaceX employees.