Flashback was a unique steelroller coaster which operated at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, USA. Before it came to Magic Mountain, it operated at two other Six Flags parks under the name of Z-Force. It was designed and built by Intamin and Giovanola. Originally intended to be mass-produced, the ride would actually be the only one of its kind to ever operate.
History
Six Flags Great America (1985-1987)
In 1984, Six Flags Great America announced that they would be adding Z-Force. It would be a prototype Space Diver purchased from the Intamin testing facility.[1] The ride opened on July 10, 1985.[2] It operated for three seasons before closing in 1987. Later that year, it was announced that Z-Force would be moved to Six Flags Over Georgia.[3]
Six Flags Over Georgia (1988-1991)
Z-Force would open in April 1988 at Six Flags Over Georgia.[4] After the 1991 season, it was removed from the park. That year, it was announced that the coaster would be relocated to Six Flags Magic Mountain under its new name, Flashback for the 1992 season.[5] The coaster was going to be enclosed, but the plans were cancelled. Flashback would open on April 25, 1992.[6]
Six Flags Magic Mountain (1992-2003)
After moving to Six Flags Magic Mountain, the ride was suffering from neglect. The track was said to be rusted and in poor condition and riders complained that the ride had got much rougher. Riders also disliked the hard over the shoulder restraints combined with a lap bar. The ride was making so much noise that the lifeguards at the nearby Hurricane Harbor were being distracted, so, in late 1995, Six Flags announced that Flashback would be closed during the summer because of this.[citation needed] Due Flashback not being able to operate during the busiest season, and decreased guest satisfaction, the ride's closure was forced in 2003. The entrance was boarded up and power to the site was cut in 2005.
On January 23, 2007, a spokeswoman for the park confirmed that both Flashback and Psyclone would be removed.[7] However, while Psyclone was demolished the following month, Flashback remained standing until December. Originally, the park stated that Flashback may be rebuilt from scratch within the park for the 2008 season, but the coaster was scrapped instead.
In circa 2013, after Flashback's former spot had stood empty for many years, the neighboring water park expanded into the plot where Flashback once stood. However, the entrance to Flashback still stands to this day at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and is used for a maze during Fright Fest.
The ride starts with the chain lift hill and subsequently features six hairpin dives and an upward helix. The hairpin dives are supposed to mock a Fighter Jet. Flashback was the only Space Diver to ever be produced.
On July 17, 1989 an 11-year-old boy died while riding Z-Force at Six Flags Over Georgia. An investigation found that the boy had an undiagnosed underlying condition which was aggravated by the ride, and that he died of a "seizure-like disorder".[8] The roller coaster reopened on July 22.[9]