The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an update on its investigation into the March 26th collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which was struck by the containership Dali.
Key findings from the update include:
- Investigators have completed in-person interviews with the vessel’s crew and examined onboard engineering systems.
- A blackout occurred when the ship was three lengths from the bridge, caused by unexpected opening of electrical breakers HR1 and LR1.
- An interruption in the control circuit for HR1’s undervoltage release was noted during testing.
- Certain electrical components and wiring have been removed for further examination at the NTSB Materials Laboratory.
The NTSB stated, “We continue to examine the removed components at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. We will continue to evaluate the design and operation of the vessel’s electrical power distribution system, and investigate all aspects of the accident to determine the probable cause and identify potential safety recommendations.”
The accident resulted in six fatalities among a road maintenance crew on the bridge, with one crew member surviving with serious injuries. An inspector on the bridge escaped unharmed, while one person aboard the Dali was injured.
The US Coast Guard has classified this as a major marine casualty, with the NTSB leading the safety investigation.