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NTSB initial derailment review: Crew used no electronic devices, engineer commented on speed

The National Transportation Safety Board has released details gathered from the locomotive's data recorder and inward- and outward-facing cameras on the Amtrak passenger train that derailed Monday in DuPont.

Three people were killed and dozens others were hurt in the catastrophic crash that catapulted train cars and the locomotive from an overpass onto southbound I-5, closing it for three days.

PHOTOS: Train derails onto I-5 in Dupont
PHOTOS: Massive locomotive moved after train derailment
Before and after photos show the scale of the train derailment

The NTSB said the initial review of the final portion of the accident sequence showed the following information, which is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.

  • Inward-facing video with audio captured the crew's actions and their conversations. A forward-facing video with audio captured conditions in front of the locomotive as well as external sounds.
  • The crew was not observed to use any personal electronic devices during the timeframe reviewed.
  • About six seconds prior to the derailment, the engineer made a comment regarding an over speed condition.
  • The engineer's actions were consistent with the application of the locomotive's brakes just before the recording ended. It did not appear the engineer placed the brake handle in emergency-braking mode.
  • The recording ended as the locomotive was tilting and the crew was bracing for impact.
  • The final recorded speed of the locomotive was 78 mph.

The NTSB said a preliminary report in the early stage of the investigation will be available on the NTSB website in the coming days.

The entire investigation is expected to last 12-24 months.

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