NTSB Plans July Meeting On Metro Train Crash Probe

WASHINGTON - The National Transportation Safety Board will review the final report of its investigation of last year's fatal Metro train crash at a July meeting, officials said Thursday.

Nine people, including the train operator, were killed last June when a train slammed into another train stopped on the tracks. The NTSB held a public hearing earlier this year, but has not yet determined a probable cause for the crash.

A board meeting is scheduled July 27 to consider findings of the yearlong investigation.

In addition, the NTSB said progress has been made in investigating three other Metro accidents, including one in January that killed two maintenance technicians when a hi-rail truck backed into them. In that case, investigators continue to look at on-track protection rules, training and other issues.

In another accident in November, a train hit a stopped train at the West Falls Church rail yard. No passengers were on board, but the operator of the striking train and two cleaning crew workers on the struck train suffered minor injuries. The board said inspections of mechanical and train control systems found no anomalies and the track circuits operated properly.

Event data recorders on the striking train in that accident were not operating, but the NTSB said it has found recorded speed data from other equipment. Investigators are still evaluating issues such as operator performance and the crashworthiness of the 1,000-series rail cars, which are older models.

The board also continues its investigation of a February accident in which a train's front wheels derailed at the Farragut North station. An inspection of the mechanical and train control systems found no anomalies, officials said, and they have examined an onboard event data recorder. Other factors that need more review include operator performance and operating procedures.