The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the preliminary report on the investigation of the New Jersey Transit accident at Hoboken Terminal that left one person dead and 110 injured.
The preliminary report contains only factual information and does not include analysis or a probable cause of the Sept. 29 accident.
Investigators noted there were significant challenges in accessing the accident area due to severe structural damage and environmental safety concerns and it took five days to safely locate and remove the event data recorder memory board and the video data recorder hard drive from the cab car of the train. Both were in good condition and were able to provide information for NTSB's investigation, such as clear video from the forward-facing camera that captured the accident.
NTSB's report states that 38 seconds before the accident, the throttle moved from idle to the #4 position, causing the train to pick up speed from 8 mph to 21 mph when it collided and overrode the bump post in the terminal.
The report says that just prior to the collision, the event recorder indicated that the throttle position went from #4 position to idle. Engineer-induced emergency braking occurred less than one second before the collision with the bumping post.
Both the engineer and conductor were interviewed by investigators, both felt well-rested during the morning of the accident, neither indicated anything out of the ordinary with the train and the engineer has no memory of the accident.
Investigators tested the signal and train control system; the accident route was duplicated with signal alignment and functioned as designed. The signal system was restored to service with the exception of the damaged signal at the end of track 5, the track upon which the accident happened.
NTSB investigators found the cab car's electrical communication network – necessary for brake, signal, and propulsion control – was destroyed in the accident. Conversely, accident damage to the cab car's air brake system was minor and was repaired for testing. The train brakes functioned as designed during a friction brake test using the rear locomotive to apply the brakes.
Additionally, NTSB formed seven technical groups that include operations, human performance, survival factors, signal systems, track and engineering, mechanical/equipment, event/video data recorders, to gather information and evidence for the investigation.
For the first time during a rail investigation, the NTSB utilized a drone to capture 109 aerial images of the accident scene, especially documenting the collapsed roof of the terminal.
NTSB notes that the information contained within the preliminary report is subject to change as data is validated.