Posted on 12/22/2017 8:57:32 AM PST by outpostinmass2
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- An initial review of the data recorders and cameras on board the Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont on Monday suggests the train was going 78 mph in the moments before impact -- nearly 50 miles over the speed limit at that location -- and that the crew realized the speed was too high moments before, the NTSB announced Friday.
Among the preliminary review, investigators concluded that the crew was not observed to be using any electronic devices before the crash, and that six seconds before impact, the engineer made a comment about going too fast.
Investigators say the engineer's actions were "consistent with the application of the locomotives brakes just before the recording ended. It did not appear the engineer placed the brake handle in emergency-braking mode. "
The recording ended as the train was tilting and the crew was bracing for impact.
The train derailed as it hit a curve where the speed limit was 30 mph and careened onto the southbound lanes of I-5, killing three on the train and injuring dozens of others. NTSB officials say the information released Friday is prelminary and the entire investigation is expected to last between 12 and 24 months.
Updates to follow.
https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/PR20171222.aspx
seems to me that trains would be a better candidate for autonomous control than cars.
They were over the speed limit for a few miles, therefore a few minutes before the crash. Were they using any devices during any of that time?
Note to investigators: Define "before".
The crew needs electronic devices to be able to tell the difference between 80mph and 30mph?
How can this happen?
How can this happen?
By “electronic devices” they means cell phones and such that distract.
After the Philadelphia crash which was also due to excessive speed of the train, Chris Mathews said that Republicans treat trains the way they treat Hispanics. That stupid comment was to imply that the GOP neglect train maintenance, and that caused that crash in Philly. Which turned out not to be true, but liberals such as Mr. Thrill up his leg don’t let facts get in the way of political statements.
So I would expect the liberals to blame this crash on lack of train or track maintenance as well. The way they are, they need to find some aspects of any tragedy to blame on Republicans and Trump.
As I recall the Minnesota bridge collapse was blamed on Bush, and alleged lack of bridge inspection and maintenance. That’s how they roll. Liberals don’t care about facts, just political statements.
It'll be common for some hauls on some routes, and I am guessing it will be within five years (more or less).
You. Had. One. Job.
How can this happen?
Incompetence
I would add being bored. We have so stimulated ourselves that we can no longer handle the simple task of being a lookout. Similar to the lookouts on the destroyers in Asia.
They were over the speed limit for a few miles, therefore a few minutes before the crash. Were they using any devices during any of that time?
The media and politicians here (WA) are all harping “there should have been automatic train control” so this did not happen.
To me, they are trying to twist this as a failure of Congress (read that, GOP and Donald Trump) for delaying/not funding these mandated controls.
But I suggest: trains have been running safely all over America for decades with no electronic over ride of the engineer. Amtrak and the crew seem to bear much of the responsibility for this wreck.
Incompetence. Candidates for murder charges.
weed?...you know, the “I don’t give a ship” about anything....
You. Had. One. Job.
The utter incompetence can not be overstated here.
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