This factual update does not list causal factors of the accident or
provide detailed analysis. A full analysis of the accident, along with
the findings of the Board will come when the final report is released.
GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 25, 2013 /CNW/ -
The Accident
On 26 February 2012, VIA Rail Canada Inc. passenger train No. 92 (VIA
92) was proceeding eastward from Niagara Falls to Toronto, Ontario, on
track 2 of the Canadian National (CN) Oakville Subdivision near
Burlington, Ontario. VIA 92, which was operated by 2 locomotive
engineers and a locomotive engineer trainee, was carrying 70 passengers
and a VIA service manager.
After a stop at the station at Aldershot, Ontario (Mile 34.30), the
train departed on track 2. The track switches were lined to route the
train from track 2 to track 3, through crossover No.5 at Mile 33.23,
which had an authorized speed of 15 mph. At 1525 Eastern Standard Time,
VIA 92 entered crossover No. 5 while travelling at about 67 mph.
Subsequently, the locomotive and all 5 coaches derailed. The locomotive
rolled onto its side and struck the foundation of a building adjacent
to the track. The operating crew was fatally injured, and 45 people (44
passengers and the VIA service manager) sustained various injuries. The
locomotive fuel tank was punctured and approximately 4300 litres of
diesel fuel was released.
Work Completed to Date
An extensive site examination was performed at the time of the accident.
Downloads from the VIA 92 locomotive event recorder and a number of
other sources were obtained and analyzed to gain some understanding of
the events surrounding the accident. The locomotive and cars were
thoroughly documented and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB)
Engineering Laboratory evaluated them against regulatory and industry
crashworthiness standards. Extensive testing of the CN signalling
system was also performed.
Interviews about this occurrence have been conducted with VIA and CN
staff, various passengers, emergency responders, and other witnesses.
Additional research and follow-up was conducted with other railways and
commuter services in order to identify what physical defences are in
place, or being developed, to ensure safe train control. We have also
collected and analyzed many documents pertaining to the history of the
locomotive, signalling system, track maintenance, personnel training,
and the operation of the train.
The TSB has issued two rail safety advisories with regards to this
investigation:
On 18 April 2012, the TSB issued Rail Safety Advisory 02/12 to Transport
Canada (TC). The advisory stated that given the serious consequences of
a passenger train derailment, TC might wish to review the operating
procedures and situations when higher-speed passenger trains were
routed through slower speed crossovers with No. 12 turnouts.
On 16 October 2012, the TSB issued Rail Safety Advisory 04/12 to TC. It
identified that, during the accident, the area just above the front
nose of the locomotive cab of VIA 6444 struck the foundation of a
building adjacent to the track. The locomotive cab roof collapsed
resulting in extensive damage to the cab interior; the operating crew
was fatally injured. The original cab roof structure and sides were
constructed with various configurations of light-gauge steel. Although
the VIA 6444 was extensively rebuilt recently, there was no structural
upgrade of the cab to protect against rollover or impact. Since these
locomotives were built prior to the establishment of crashworthiness
standards, and given that the Locomotive Safety Rules apply only to new locomotives, there is no regulatory requirement to
upgrade the cab structure of these locomotives. The Rail Safety
Advisory suggested that TC review the Locomotive Safety Rules to ensure there is clear, consistent crashworthiness criteria for new
and rebuilt locomotives.
In-Cab Recorders
In Canada, there are voice recorders aboard aircraft and ships, but not
yet on trains. As early as 2003, the Board made a recommendation
calling for voice recorders on locomotives. Voice recordings allow
investigators to understand the environment in which crews operated and
the decisions they made leading up to an accident. The lack of this
information in rail investigations deprives the TSB of a key tool it
needs to help make Canadians safer.
To date, neither TC nor the industry has addressed this significant
issue; consequently, this issue remains a priority on the Board's
Watchlist. The absence of any in-cab voice recording, forward-facing
video recorder, or inward-facing video recorder presents significant
challenges to the investigation team.
What We Know
Investigators reviewed and assessed all the information, and this is
what we know:
-
The train was travelling over 4 times the authorized speed limit at the
time of the accident.
-
The locomotive and passengers cars were well maintained and their
mechanical condition did not play a role in this accident.
-
The track structure including the No. 5 crossover was in good condition
and did not play a role in this accident.
This investigation is focusing on:
-
the operation of the train;
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the operation of the signals; and
-
the crashworthiness of the rolling stock.
Investigation Team
At the time of the accident, the TSB deployed a team of 10 investigators
to the site. The investigation team was led by Investigator-in-Charge
(IIC) Tom Griffith. Mr. Griffith is a senior regional investigator
working out of the Toronto Regional Office and has been with the TSB
since 1990. The team included a number of TSB senior regional
investigators, a rail track specialist, a rail operations specialist,
engineers from the TSB Engineering Laboratory with specialities in
failure analysis, structures and electronics as well as TSB experts in
human factors.
The TSB also contracted an independent rail signals expert to assist
with the evaluation of the signals testing.
Investigation Process
Each investigation consists of three phases: Phase 1 is the Field Phase
when accident information is gathered from a number of sources,
including the accident site. The team continues its work in Phase 2,
which is the Examination and Analysis Phase where information continues
to be compiled and the analysis begins. The final phase is the Report
Phase. In this phase, after the report is drafted and initially
approved by the Board, it is sent out to those who participated in the
investigation and is intended to ensure procedural fairness and the
accuracy of the Board's final report. It also encourages open and
honest comments without the fear of reprisal or harm to reputation. The
Board considers all comments and will amend the report where the change
will strengthen the scientific accuracy. Once the Board approves the
final report, it is released to the public.
Current Status
This investigation has now entered the final phase. The investigation
team has produced an initial draft report, which the TSB does not
publish. This initial draft report has been reviewed by the Board and
subsequently sent to designated reviewers. The designated reviewers now
have the opportunity to respond in writing and comment on any aspect of
the report that they believe is incorrect or unfairly prejudicial to
their interests.
The list of designated reviewers is confidential. Confidentiality is
essential to encourage the fastest possible and most complete
accumulation of information affecting public safety, and to provide
independent and objective analysis of the deficiencies in the
transportation system. The Board has the final decision on the content
of the report.
The Families
When fatalities occur, responsibility for informing the next of kin
falls to the police, the coroner/medical examiner, or the
transportation company. However, as it is the policy of the TSB, the
investigation team has kept the families of loved ones apprised at
every major stage of the investigation and briefs them on the final
report before it is released to the public and the media.
The TSB investigation team knows that the survivors and the families who
lost loved ones want answers. As we continue our work, our hope is that
we will be able to answer the following questions: What happened? Why
did it happen? What can we learn so that it does not happen again? We
look for these answers to make a safer transportation system for all
Canadians.
Next Steps
The Board awaits comments from designated reviewers and will consider
them as quickly as possible in order to complete this important
investigation. Once done, the report will be released publicly.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline,
railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the
advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the
Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
SOURCE: Transportation Safety Board of Canada
