INITIAL NTSB REPORT ON METRA ACCIDENT
[National Transportation Safety Board,
9-29-05]
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Sept. 17, 2005, the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a team of investigators to the scene of the
derailment of Metra's Rock Island train No. 504. Two passengers were killed
in the derailment. The following is an update of factual information collected
by the safety board's team.
- Equipment: The safety board
has retained car No. 7488, the fourth car from the head end of the train,
for additional examination by the Survival Factors investigative group.
Car 7488 was the most damaged of the rail cars and the location of at least
one of the fatalities. All other equipment has been examined by NTSB investigators
and released to Metra.
- Signals: On Sept. 21st, investigators
fault-tested the signal system to check for anomalies in the signal software.
During fault testing investigators manually input incorrect signals into
the system. When the system detects an incorrect signal it is designed
to go into a restrictive fail-safe mode. The system worked as designed
during the fault testing. Additionally, recorded signal data from the day
of the derailment indicates that the signal system functioned as designed
and displayed instructions for the approaching crossover.
- Engineer: The engineer began
training with Metra in April 2005. His training included several trips
over various crossovers. During the engineer's interview, he reported that
he believed he saw clear signals indicating that he was to proceed straight
ahead on main track No. 2. NTSB investigators have interviewed the entire
train crew, engineer, conductor, assistant conductor, and fare collector.
- Sight Distance Testing: Sight
distance testing was completed on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Testing began at approximately
8 a.m. and concluded at approximately 9:30 a.m. Investigators sitting in
the cab car of a train similar to the accident train observed the visibility
of the signal system aspects from different distances. Running on main
track No. 2 along the same route as the accident train, investigators on
the test train noted that they could see and understand the 53rd Street
signal 3,219 feet prior to the signal. Investigators were able to see and
understand the 48th Street signal 1,926 feet prior to the signal.
The board's on-scene investigation is continuing and pertinent
factual information will be released as it is gathered.