NTSB Investigates Fatal Metro Train Collision
Time is of the essence for National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) members as they work tirelessly to preserve as much evidence as possible in order to determine the cause of Monday’s fatal D.C. Metro train accident. At approximately 5 pm, two Red Line six-car trains were apparently on the same track when train 112 crashed into train 214, according to an account. The accident is the deadliest in Metro history and has brought tragedy to the families of the nine people who were killed; a loss that no one should ever have to endure and our condolences certainly go out to them.
The NTSB will be examining multiple factors that could have been the cause of this accident, one of which relates to the Metro’s 1000 series cars – the most aged cars in the system and the type that struck train 214 as it stood still. Aside from the car itself, the investigation will also include looking at the Metro’s train equipment, maintenance, functionality of the fail-safe computerized system that controls speed and braking, signal system, tracks, cell phone and texting records, and whether the striking train’s brakes were applied.
Previously, the NTSB recommended back in 2006 that Metro should upgrade their older cars with data recorders. Train 214 included the more recent 5000 and 3000 series cars, which had nine data recorders. Jim Graham, Metro Board Chairmand and D.C. Councilman, said that the transit agency is “aggressively seeking” to replace all of Metro’s 1000 series cars.
With new cars on order for the aging trains, NTSB member Debbie Hersman stated, “We recommended to WMATA to either retrofit those cars or to phase them out of the fleet.”
While we await answers as to whether the track geometry can reveal a cause or if the brake and speed control system was in fact used at the time of the accident or if there were any faults, we hope that every safety measure is enforced in train and subway transits throughout the country to help prevent wrongful death accidents like this from happening again.
