Metro-North train speed hit 82 mph prior to derailment, NTSB says

Preliminary information from MTA Metro-North Railroad event recorders show the train that derailed Sunday was traveling about 82 mph as it entered the 30 mph curve in the Bronx, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials announced yesterday.

The NTSB is continuing its investigation of the accident, which killed four people and injured more than 60. The Hudson Line train was on its way to Manhattan when it derailed just north of the Spuyten Duyvil station. The train was carrying about 120 passengers.

Yesterday, investigators reviewed data from the train's two event recorders, while crews began re-railing the cars and locomotive. The vehicles will be moved to a secure location for a more detailed examination over the next few days, said NTSB member Earl Weener in a media briefing, which was posted on the NTSB's website.

Investigators do not yet know if the accident was caused by an equipment failure or human error, he said.

About six seconds before the rear engine came to a stop, the train's throttle went to idle. About five seconds before the engine came to a stop, pressure in the brake pipe dropped from 120 psi to zero, which resulted in maximum braking, said Weener.

Investigators do not yet know the reasons for those occurrences or why the train was traveling at speeds above the curve's 30 mph limit. The speed limit leading up to the curve is 70 mph.

The train made nine station stops before it derailed, and investigators are not aware of any prior issues with the brakes, Weener said.

Also yesterday, investigators recovered the train engineer's cell phone and will review its data as a routine part of the investigation. They also began interviewing the engineer and the train's three crew members. Those interviews will continue over the next few days, Weener said.