NTSB rules out cell phone as factor in Amtrak accident
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefNational Transportation Safety Board investigators examining Amtrak’s May 12, 2015 derailment on the Northeast Corridor have ruled out distraction caused by cell phone use on the part of engineer Brandon Bostian as a contributing factor, deepening the mystery of what caused the accident.
In an updated report, the NTSB said its analysis of Bostian’s cell phone records “does not indicate that any calls, texts or data usage occurred during the time the engineer was operating the train,” including the moments before the accident. The agency also said that Bostian didn’t access the train’s Wi-Fi system while he was operating the locomotive.
Eight people were killed and about 200 more injured in the derailment of Northeast Regional Train 188 at Frankford Curve in North Philadelphia. The train derailed at more than 100 mph on the curve, which had an unenforced civil speed restriction of 50 mph. Amtrak has since modified the signal system to enforce the speed restriction.
