Texas

NTSB releases preliminary report on Pecos train derailment

By Odessa American - December 21, 2024



The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on the train derailment in Pecos that claimed the lives of Union Pacific workers Phillip Araujo and Clay Burt. The accident occurred about 5 p.m. Dec. 18.

According to the report, a northbound truck tractor-low boy trailer combination (operated by Voss Trucking) hauling the base of a wind turbine, attempted to traverse the railroad tracks at the highway grade crossing located at U.S. 285 and Cedar Street (Crossing number 796254N) Milepost 646.83 of the Toyah Subdivision, in Pecos. The truck tractor-low boy trailer combination was unable to proceed through the intersection for reasons under investigation.

Shortly thereafter, the crossing warning devices (lights and bells) activated, and the gate struck the truck as it attempted to lower into position. A westbound Union Pacific train, ZAILA-18, collided with the trailer, causing the wind turbine base to detach and be propelled into the air. The equipment struck a nearby building, causing significant damage. The train derailed upon impact, resulting in the derailment of all four head-end locomotives and 25 intermodal wells, the report said.

Six NTSB investigators arrived at the accident site Thursday to begin the on-scene phase of the investigation. … It has not yet been determined how long the truck was on the tracks before the collision or if anyone attempted to contact the railroad prior to the collision through the emergency contact number that was posted at the grade crossing.

The speed limit in that section of track was 70 mph. Preliminary data show the train was traveling around 68 mph before the crew applied emergency braking prior to impact. … The head-end locomotive event data recorder was removed from the wreckage and is being transported to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C.

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