National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
March 16, 2004
************************************************************
UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING
UNMANNED LIRR LOCOMOTIVE IN NEW YORK CITY
************************************************************
The National Transportation Safety Board today released the
following update on its investigation of a series of highway
grade crossing collisions, March 10, involving an unmanned
Long Island Rail Road locomotive in Queens, New York. The
unmanned locomotive passed through grade crossings that did
not have active warning devices (bells, lights, gates),
striking several vehicles and causing serious injuries to
four vehicle occupants.
NTSB investigators have completed interviews with all five
of the railroad employees involved in the accident and will
be reviewing that information. The employees have told the
Safety Board that they set the air brakes before leaving the
locomotive unmanned for a brief period.
While crewmembers reported setting the air brakes, according
to crew statements and investigator observations, a separate
braking system - the hand brake - was not set, nor were the
wheels blocked, as required by LIRR operating rules when a
locomotive is left unattended.
Two days before the accident, the locomotive passed an
inspection mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA). (The FRA requires that locomotives be inspected
every 92 days.) However, tests done on the locomotive
after the accident showed some leakage in the air brake
system, indicating that after a period of time enough air
would bleed off to release the brakes. The locomotive is
being held out of service for further NTSB mechanical
evaluation.
Data from the locomotive event recorders has been sent to
the NTSB laboratory in Washington for detailed readout and
analysis. Investigators also will be studying security
camera videos obtained by the New York City Police
Department.
NTSB investigators are looking into why a protective
mechanism, installed on the rails and designed to be able to
stop railroad equipment, failed. They also will be studying
the grade crossings, which earlier had active warning
devices that were removed.
The NTSB is aware of a report of an incident on March 6
stemming from brake problems with the accident locomotive,
and will be folding this information into its investigation.
The Safety Board also expects to receive reports of the
toxicology tests done on the train crewmembers in accordance
with LIRR policy.
NTSB Media Contact: Paul Schlamm (202) 314-6100
Washington, DC 20594
March 16, 2004
************************************************************
UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING
UNMANNED LIRR LOCOMOTIVE IN NEW YORK CITY
************************************************************
The National Transportation Safety Board today released the
following update on its investigation of a series of highway
grade crossing collisions, March 10, involving an unmanned
Long Island Rail Road locomotive in Queens, New York. The
unmanned locomotive passed through grade crossings that did
not have active warning devices (bells, lights, gates),
striking several vehicles and causing serious injuries to
four vehicle occupants.
NTSB investigators have completed interviews with all five
of the railroad employees involved in the accident and will
be reviewing that information. The employees have told the
Safety Board that they set the air brakes before leaving the
locomotive unmanned for a brief period.
While crewmembers reported setting the air brakes, according
to crew statements and investigator observations, a separate
braking system - the hand brake - was not set, nor were the
wheels blocked, as required by LIRR operating rules when a
locomotive is left unattended.
Two days before the accident, the locomotive passed an
inspection mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA). (The FRA requires that locomotives be inspected
every 92 days.) However, tests done on the locomotive
after the accident showed some leakage in the air brake
system, indicating that after a period of time enough air
would bleed off to release the brakes. The locomotive is
being held out of service for further NTSB mechanical
evaluation.
Data from the locomotive event recorders has been sent to
the NTSB laboratory in Washington for detailed readout and
analysis. Investigators also will be studying security
camera videos obtained by the New York City Police
Department.
NTSB investigators are looking into why a protective
mechanism, installed on the rails and designed to be able to
stop railroad equipment, failed. They also will be studying
the grade crossings, which earlier had active warning
devices that were removed.
The NTSB is aware of a report of an incident on March 6
stemming from brake problems with the accident locomotive,
and will be folding this information into its investigation.
The Safety Board also expects to receive reports of the
toxicology tests done on the train crewmembers in accordance
with LIRR policy.
NTSB Media Contact: Paul Schlamm (202) 314-6100
If Conductors are in charge, why are they promoted to be Engineer???
Retired Triebfahrzeugführer. I am not a moderator.
Retired Triebfahrzeugführer. I am not a moderator.