National Transportation Safety Board

09/20/2021

This week is #RailSafetyWeek. In a new #NTSB #blogpost, Member Tom Chapman shares how his family was impacted by a highway-rail grade crossing crash and what we all can do to prevent track tragedies. Read the blog: https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2021/09/20/rail-safety-week-2021/

#STOPTrackTragedies

This week is #RailSafetyWeek. In a new #NTSB #blogpost, Member Tom Chapman shares how his family was impacted by a highway-rail grade crossing crash and what we all can do to prevent track tragedies. Read the blog: https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2021/09/20/rail-safety-week-2021/

#STOPTrackTragedies

09/17/2021

Teens are one of our most vulnerable driving populations, with motor vehicle crashes continuing to be a leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. Graduated Driver License Laws (GDL laws) and teen driver safety technologies can help keep novice drivers safe as they begin their on-road journey. In a new #NTSB #blogpost, NTSB Safety Advocate Bryan Delaney shares how policy, advocacy and technology can help instill safe driving habits and behaviors in teens. Read the blog: https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2021/09/17/fostering-teen-driver-safety-through-policy-advocacy-and-technology/

Teens are one of our most vulnerable driving populations, with motor vehicle crashes continuing to be a leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. Graduated Driver License Laws (GDL laws) and teen driver safety technologies can help keep novice drivers safe as they begin their on-road journey. In a new #NTSB #blogpost, NTSB Safety Advocate Bryan Delaney shares how policy, advocacy and technology can help instill safe driving habits and behaviors in teens. Read the blog: https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2021/09/17/fostering-teen-driver-safety-through-policy-advocacy-and-technology/

09/02/2021

Two years ago today, the passenger vessel Conception sank after a fire broke out aboard, killing 33 passengers and one crewmember. In a new #NTSB #blogpost, Chair Jennifer Homendy discusses how one of the worst maritime events in US history happened and the actions still needed to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

Read the full #blogpost ➡ https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/two-years-later-conception-tragedy-still-a-reminder-that-more-should-be-done-to-improve-passenger-vessel-safety/

Two years ago today, the passenger vessel Conception sank after a fire broke out aboard, killing 33 passengers and one crewmember. In a new #NTSB #blogpost, Chair Jennifer Homendy discusses how one of the worst maritime events in US history happened and the actions still needed to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

Read the full #blogpost ➡ https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/two-years-later-conception-tragedy-still-a-reminder-that-more-should-be-done-to-improve-passenger-vessel-safety/

08/24/2021

The NTSB is proud to announce the publication of Safer Seas Digest 2020, a compendium of the agency’s maritime accident investigations involving loss of life, injuries and significant property damage completed in 2020.

“These tragedies remind us that whether we are serving in the nation’s armed forces, scuba diving for recreation, fishing on a trawler, or sustaining maritime commerce, we are all reliant on safety measures that must be in place before we step aboard,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “Mariners can use the lessons learned in the Safer Seas Digest to prevent future accidents and owners and operators can use it to help ensure a culture of safety at sea.”

The Safer Seas Digest 2020 is available at https://go.usa.gov/xFM4M​. This online version gives mariners access to the compete body of work of NTSB’s Office of Marine Safety.

The NTSB is proud to announce the publication of Safer Seas Digest 2020, a compendium of the agency’s maritime accident investigations involving loss of life, injuries and significant property damage completed in 2020.

“These tragedies remind us that whether we are serving in the nation’s armed forces, scuba diving for recreation, fishing on a trawler, or sustaining maritime commerce, we are all reliant on safety measures that must be in place before we step aboard,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “Mariners can use the lessons learned in the Safer Seas Digest to prevent future accidents and owners and operators can use it to help ensure a culture of safety at sea.”

The Safer Seas Digest 2020 is available at https://go.usa.gov/xFM4M​. This online version gives mariners access to the compete body of work of NTSB’s Office of Marine Safety.

07/26/2021

#DYK we are hosting a series of virtual roundtables focused on the Safe System Approach to road safety? To learn more visit our event page: https://ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/2021-safe-systems-rt.aspx.

#ICYMI recordings of our first roundtables of the series, held July 7 and July 21, are now available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NTSBgov/videos

#DYK we are hosting a series of virtual roundtables focused on the Safe System Approach to road safety? To learn more visit our event page: https://ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/2021-safe-systems-rt.aspx.

#ICYMI recordings of our first roundtables of the series, held July 7 and July 21, are now available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NTSBgov/videos

06/30/2021

NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt Leaves Government Service

News Release: NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt Leaves Government Service

​​WASHINGTON (June 30, 2021) — National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt ended his nearly 15 years at the NTSB, as he retired from government service Wednesday.

Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg will serve as the acting chairman until a new chair is confirmed by the Senate. President Biden nominated NTSB Member Jennifer Homendy May 20 to become the 15th chair of the NTSB.

Sumwalt’s tenure as the 14th chairman of the NTSB began in August 2017 after being nominated to lead the agency by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the Senate. He was renominated for a second term as chairman in August 2019.

“The NTSB’s role is extremely important: by conducting thorough investigations, our work helps prevent accidents and crashes, reduces injuries, and saves lives,” said Sumwalt. “I’ve been honored to be part of this great agency, and to have served with the dedicated men and women of the NTSB.”

During his tenure at the NTSB, Sumwalt responded to 36 accident sites in all modes of transportation, including;

The December 2018 natural gas pipeline explosion and fires in Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts;

The March 2018 Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse in Miami, Florida;

The May 2015 derailment of Amtrak train 188 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

The May 2010 accident involving the Staten Island Ferry Andrew J. Barberi in New York City; and,

The August 2006 crash of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, Kentucky.

In addition to leading the agency and advocating for the adoption of hundreds of safety recommendations the NTSB issues each year, Sumwalt made a concerted effort to ensure staff had investigative resources and supportive leadership at all levels to make the organization one of the best in the federal government.

“I am proud that, by working together, we have increased our standing in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government’s annual rankings,” said Sumwalt. “Our employee engagement is at all all-time high, and our internal communications have never been stronger.”

Sumwalt came to the NTSB in August 2006 with his appointment as the 37th member of the agency, whereupon President George W. Bush designated him as vice chairman for a two-year term. President Barack Obama reappointed Sumwalt to an additional five-year term as a board member in November 2011. He was reappointed for another term by President Trump in 2017.

Before joining the NTSB Sumwalt was a pilot for 32 years, including 24 years with Piedmont Airlines and US Airways, accumulating more than 14,000 flight hours. During his tenure at US Airways, he worked on special assignment to the flight safety department and served on the airline’s Flight Operational Quality Assurance monitoring team.

The NTSB has five board members, each nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate to serve five-year terms. By statute, the president designates, with Senate confirmation, a chairman. The president also designates a board member as vice chairman, however, Senate confirmation is not required for the vice chairman. The vice chairman and chairman each serve three-year terms. When there is no designated chairman, the vice chairman serves as acting chairman. Board members whose terms expire may remain on the board until their replacement is appointed.

https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20210630.aspx

​​WASHINGTON (June 30, 2021) — National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt ended his nearly 15 years at the NTSB, as he retired from government service Wednesday. 

06/29/2021

NTSB Issues 7 Safety Recommendations Based on Investigation of Scandies Rose Sinking

News Release: NTSB Issues 7 Safety Recommendations Based on Investigation of Scandies Rose Sinking

WASHINGTON (June 29, 2021) — The National Transportation Safety Board issued seven safety recommendations Tuesday during a public board meeting held to determine the probable cause of the fatal, Dec. 31, 2019, sinking of the fishing vessel Scandies Rose.

The Scandies Rose sank 2.5 miles south of Sutwik Island, Alaska. The vessel was en route from Kodiak, Alaska, to fishing grounds in the Bering Sea when it capsized and sank. The Scandies Rose had seven crewmembers aboard, two were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and five others were never found.

The Scandies Rose likely accumulated between 6 and 15 inches of ice on surfaces exposed to wind and icing during the accident voyage, NTSB investigators found. The added weight from ice accumulating asymmetrically on the vessel and the stacked crab pots on deck, raised the Scandies Rose’s center of gravity, reducing its stability and contributing to the capsizing.

Although the crew loaded the Scandies Rose per the stability instructions on board, the instructions were inaccurate and as a result the vessel did not meet regulatory stability criteria and was more susceptible to capsizing.

The NTSB determined the probable cause was the inaccurate stability instructions for the vessel, which resulted in a low margin of stability to resist capsizing, combined with the heavy asymmetric ice accumulation on the vessel due to conditions more extreme than forecasted.

The NTSB identified the following safety issues during its investigation: the effect of extreme icing conditions, lack of accurate weather data for the accident area, the vessel’s inaccurate stability instructions and the need to update regulatory guidelines on calculating and communicating icing for vessel stability instructions.

As a result of the investigation, the NTSB issued four recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard, one recommendation to the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association, one to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and one to the National Weather Service. The NTSB also reiterated two safety recommendations previously issued to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The safety recommendations seek more accurate stability instructions that realistically consider the effect of icing on crab pots and crab pot stacks, making the Ocean Prediction Center freezing spray website operational and requiring personal locator beacons for every member of a vessel’s crew.

“Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in America, but it does not need to be,” said Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt. “The safety recommendations we issued and reiterated today, if implemented, will make commercial fishing vessels safer and will help mitigate the risks fishermen face in this occupation.”

Icing continues to be a factor in accidents off the coast of Alaska. The NTSB issued Safety Alert 18-074 Ice Accumulation on June 20, 2018, reminding mariners to prepare for icing conditions and the actions to take to maintain vessel stability when icing occurs. The safety alert was issued following the NTSB’s investigation of the sinking of the fishing vessel Destination.

Improve Passenger and Fishing Vessel Safety is an item on the NTSB’s 2021 - 2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Commercial fishing vessels, which remain largely uninspected, continue to be a marine sector of concern. New standards are needed to address intact stability, subdivision and watertight integrity in commercial fishing vessels up to 79 feet long. Many fishing crews aren’t trained in stability management techniques or emergency response, and the NTSB has found that many vessels do not have proper life-saving equipment, such as flotation devices and operational search-and-rescue locator devices.

The complete accident report will be available in several weeks. The executive summary, including the findings, probable cause and safety recommendations is available at https://go.usa.gov/x6Gfr.

The public docket for the investigation contains more than 4,500 pages of factual information, including interview transcripts, photographs and other investigative materials and is available online at https://go.usa.gov/x6qfw​.

https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/MR20210629.aspx

​WASHINGTON (June 29, 2021) — The National Transportation Safety Board issued seven safety recommendations Tuesday during a public board meeting held to determine the probable cause of the fatal, Dec. 31, 2019, sinking of the fishing vessel Scandies Rose.

06/18/2021

Yesterday, Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Karl Schultz signed an Memorandum of Understanding between the #NTSB and the #USCG outlining their respective roles when conducting #marine transportation accident investigations.

The Chairman was joined by NTSB Managing Director Sharon Bryson, General Counsel Kathy Silbaugh, Office of Marine Safety Director Morgan Turrell, and Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications Director Dolline Hatchett.

Photo credit: NTSB photographer James Anderson

#maritime #safety #transportation #leadership

06/10/2021

NTSB Advocacy Update - Advocacy Spotlight E-Newsletter (June 2021)

How do we share our critical safety messages and lessons learned from our accident and crash investigations? Advocacy! Read the latest issue of our Advocacy Spotlight e-newsletter to see what our Board members and staff have been up to https://conta.cc/3ivYKEH

Advocacy Activities and Happenings Vol 7- Issue 1 Highlighting NTSB Advocacy in Action (January-April 2021) The Big Stories Meet Our New Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements! The NTSB adopted its

06/10/2021

NTSB Completes Documentation of Derailed Tank Cars

News Release: NTSB Completes Documentation of Derailed Tank Cars
6/10/2021
​WASHINGTON (June 10, 2021) — The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday completion of its investigation to document the performance of DOT-117 rail tank cars involved in the Dec. 22, 2020, derailment near Custer, Washington.

The NTSB conducted a limited investigation of the accident, focused solely on the performance of the DOT-117 rail tank cars, as such, the NTSB did not determine probable cause for the derailment and did not publish a brief or report. The NTSB’s documentation of its investigation into the performance of tank cars is documented in a factual report.

No injuries were reported in connection with the derailment; however, 120 people were evacuated from a ½-mile radius around the accident site, and about 29,000 gallons of petroleum crude oil was discharged from three tank cars. The oil ignited and burned uncontrolled for two hours. Damage was estimated to exceed $1.5 million.

Information collected by the NTSB for its investigation is publicly available in the docket at https://go.usa.gov/x6kSv. The docket contains 23 items totaling 224 pages.

In its factual report the NTSB states nine of the 10 derailed tank cars were originally constructed to DOT-111A100WI specifications, with enhancements to the Association of American Railroads CPC-1232 industry standard for crude oil and ethanol service tank cars ordered after Oct. 1, 2011. The CPC-1232 tank cars were converted to DOT-117R100W in 2019.

NTSB investigators did not travel to Custer to examine the tank cars due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, however the investigators relied on close communication with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission to collect derailment damage data.

“The NTSB’s intent for this investigation was to gain damage data from the DOT-117 rail tank cars involved in the derailment,” said Robert J. Hall, Director of the NTSB’s Office Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations. “Because our investigation was limited to data collection, we have not issued any findings or safety recommendations. The data we gathered in this investigation will assist us as we evaluate the performance of tank cars carrying flammable liquids involved in other rail accidents,” said Hall.

Ensure the Safe Shipment of Hazardous Materials was an item on the NTSB’s 2019 – 2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements to highlight the need for the replacement of DOT-111 and CPC-1232 tank cars with the more robust DOT-117 design.

https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20210610.aspx

​WASHINGTON (June 10, 2021) — The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday completion of its investigation to document the performance of DOT-117 rail tank cars involved in the Dec. 22, 2020, derailment near Custer, Washington.