Six Flags Magic Mountain pulls the plug on X2 after nearly 20 years amid lawsuits
Six Flags Magic Mountain is permanently retiring X2, ending nearly two decades as one of the California theme park’s most recognizable roller coasters.
The park announced the decision Tuesday, Sept. 29, saying, “After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2.” Six Flags directed guests to a blog post from Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding for additional details.
The announcement comes after X2 had remained closed since July amid scrutiny over reported rider injuries and ongoing litigation involving the attraction. The timing makes the permanent closure particularly significant, although Six Flags’ announcement should not by itself be interpreted as an admission regarding allegations made in the lawsuits.
What made X2 different
Six Flags described X2 as a “fifth-dimension wing roller coaster” built around sensory overload. The 3,610-foot coaster reached 200 feet in elevation and speeds of 76 mph, with 360-degree rotating seats extending from the sides of the track. Its ride experience included head-first, face-down drops, dives, flips, twists, two rare “raven turns” and flamethrower effects.
X2 changed roller coaster design
When the coaster originally opened as X in January 2002, it introduced the world’s first fourth-dimension roller coaster. The Arrow Dynamics prototype placed riders in seats extending beyond the track that could rotate independently as the train traveled through the course.
The unusual design helped make X one of Magic Mountain’s signature attractions, but it was also an ambitious engineering project. Arrow Dynamics filed for bankruptcy shortly before the coaster opened, and S&S Worldwide later acquired portions of the company’s assets. X eventually underwent a major transformation and reopened as X2 in May 2008 with new trains, a new color scheme, onboard audio and additional sensory effects.
For a look at similar rotating-seat coaster technology, watch our video of Batman: The Ride, an S&S 4D Free Spin coaster.
X2 lawsuits preceded permanent closure
X2 closed July 12, 2026, and never reopened. Three lawsuits filed in September allege riders suffered traumatic brain injuries after riding the coaster. An attorney representing the plaintiffs says his firm has been retained by more than 100 clients who report brain injuries after riding X2 within the past two years. Those additional clients do not represent more than 100 filed lawsuits, and the allegations have not been established by a court or regulator.
The closure also followed previous litigation involving the death of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley after he rode X2 in June 2022. The Los Angeles County medical examiner ruled Hawley’s death an accident and listed blunt head trauma sustained in a “park ride accident” as the cause, according to reporting on the case. Six Flags Magic Mountain and ride-train supplier S&S Worldwide later reached settlements in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by Hawley’s family.
Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding said X2 welcomed more than 16 million riders after reopening in 2008. Although Six Flags says the coaster consistently passed its safety tests, Oerding acknowledged that guest confidence factored into the decision to permanently retire it.
“When we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.” — Brian Oerding, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President
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So so STUPID! I travel the work and ride roller coasters, people all ask me the same question, “what’s the best ride in the world you’ve been on?” Every time it’s the same answer. I’ve ridden that ride at least 40 times and I’ve never had an issue, neither had anyone that’s joined me. I’m so upset