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NTSB: Amtrak train was going 78 mph at impact; crew not using electronic devices
KOMONEWS ^

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 locomotive’s 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.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: amtrak; cascades; crash; ntsb; tacoma; trainwreck
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Inward-facing video with audio captured the crew’s actions and their conversations. A forward-facing video with audio captured conditions in front of the locomotive as well as external sounds. The crew was not observed to use any personal electronic devices during the timeframe reviewed. About six seconds prior to the derailment, the engineer made a comment regarding an over speed condition. The engineer’s actions were consistent with the application of the locomotive’s 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 locomotive was tilting and the crew was bracing for impact. The final recorded speed of the locomotive was 78 mph.

https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/PR20171222.aspx

1 posted on 12/22/2017 8:57:32 AM PST by outpostinmass2
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To: outpostinmass2

seems to me that trains would be a better candidate for autonomous control than cars.


2 posted on 12/22/2017 8:59:38 AM PST by V_TWIN (oks like)
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To: outpostinmass2

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?


3 posted on 12/22/2017 8:59:47 AM PST by mewzilla (Was Obama surveilling John Roberts? Might explain a lot.)
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To: mewzilla
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.

Note to investigators: Define "before".

4 posted on 12/22/2017 9:00:56 AM PST by mewzilla (Was Obama surveilling John Roberts? Might explain a lot.)
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The crew needs electronic devices to be able to tell the difference between 80mph and 30mph?


5 posted on 12/22/2017 9:01:07 AM PST by dsrtsage (For Leftists, World History starts every day at breakfast)
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To: outpostinmass2

How can this happen?


6 posted on 12/22/2017 9:02:56 AM PST by Kahuna
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To: Kahuna

How can this happen?


Incompetence


7 posted on 12/22/2017 9:05:23 AM PST by outpostinmass2
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To: dsrtsage

By “electronic devices” they means cell phones and such that distract.


8 posted on 12/22/2017 9:08:12 AM PST by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: Kahuna

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.


9 posted on 12/22/2017 9:08:18 AM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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To: V_TWIN
seems to me that trains would be a better candidate for autonomous control than cars

It'll be common for some hauls on some routes, and I am guessing it will be within five years (more or less).

10 posted on 12/22/2017 9:09:11 AM PST by niteowl77
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To: outpostinmass2

You. Had. One. Job.


11 posted on 12/22/2017 9:10:37 AM PST by Basket_of_Deplorables (SEDITION! Obama DOJ colluded to try overthrow the President!)
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To: outpostinmass2

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.


12 posted on 12/22/2017 9:11:28 AM PST by alternatives? (Why have an army if there are no borders?)
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To: mewzilla

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?


Speed reduction sign was 2 miles before curve. Traveling at 80mph for 2 miles = 1.5 minutes of speeding time.


13 posted on 12/22/2017 9:11:58 AM PST by outpostinmass2
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To: outpostinmass2

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.


14 posted on 12/22/2017 9:12:09 AM PST by llevrok (Swamp nothing! Give Washington DC an enema !)
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To: outpostinmass2

Incompetence. Candidates for murder charges.


15 posted on 12/22/2017 9:12:40 AM PST by Reno89519 (PRESIDENT TRUMP, KEEP YOUR PROMISES! NO AMNESTY AND BUILD THAT WALL.)
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To: outpostinmass2

16 posted on 12/22/2017 9:12:42 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (Headline: Muslims Fear Backlash from Tomorrow's Terror Attack - Mark Steyn)
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To: outpostinmass2

weed?...you know, the “I don’t give a ship” about anything....


17 posted on 12/22/2017 9:12:44 AM PST by cherry
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To: outpostinmass2
Was the engineer one of these guys?
18 posted on 12/22/2017 9:13:00 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Basket_of_Deplorables

You. Had. One. Job.


Post of the day!

The utter incompetence can not be overstated here.


19 posted on 12/22/2017 9:13:09 AM PST by robroys woman (So you're not confused, I'm male.)
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To: oh8eleven
Was the engineer one of these guys?

Casey Jones?
20 posted on 12/22/2017 9:13:46 AM PST by dfwgator
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