data activity. Amtrak records indicated that the engineer's cell phone did not connect to the train's onboard wireless Internet system on the accident train. Furthermore, an examination of metadata downloaded from the cell phone was consistent with it's being powered off during the accident trip.[1]
There were no mechanical or operational issues reported for train 188 on the day of the accident.
NTSB investigators explored the reasons why a qualified, experienced, and apparently alert engineer would accelerate beyond the safe operating speed traveling through the curve at Frankford Junction. Specifically, investigators examined the factors that may have diverted the engineer's attention from train operations before the accident.
Train 188 left Philadelphia 30th Street Station a little after 9:10 p.m. According to the recorded radio transmissions, the 6-minute radio conversation between the SEPTA engineer and the train dispatcher took place between 9:13 p.m. and 9:19 p.m. The train derailed at 9:21 p.m., nearly 11 minutes after departing from the 30th Street Station. The Amtrak engineer was very focused on the incident that shattered the windshield of the SEPTA train and sent glass into the face of its engineer as he operated train 188 into the same area. During an interview 3 days after the accident, the Amtrak engineer accurately recalled the content of the radio transmissions. He said—
The SEPTA engineer "sounded very upset, and it sounded like the dispatcher was trying to get clear information as to whether or not [the SEPTA engineer] needed medical help. And the SEPTA engineer was not being very clear and so they went back and forth.
During that same interview he also told investigators—
I was a little bit concerned for my safety. There's been so many times where I've had reports of rocks that I haven't seen anything, that I felt it was unlikely that it would impact me. And I was really concerned for the SEPTA engineer. I had a coworker in Oakland that had glass impact his eye from hitting a tractor-trailer, and I know how terrible that is.
Locomotive engineers are expected to monitor radio transmissions while operating their trains because these communications can be pertinent to the safe operation of their trains.[2] Operationally relevant information might be discussed, including details about issues with the track or signals, deteriorating weather conditions, or issues with trains that might force engineers to make an unplanned stop. In this case, it was important for the Amtrak engineer and other train crews operating in the area to know someone may have thrown an object at a train, and the SEPTA train had made an emergency stop on main track 1. Because the Amtrak engineer was monitoring the radio, he was aware the train crew might be on the tracks inspecting the SEPTA train for damage or setting up protection (such as flags) for it, and he reported this as a concern
- ↑ For more information, see the NTSB's press release dated June 10, 2015, which addresses cell phone usage.
- ↑ NORAC Operating Rules 706, Radio Location and Monitoring: "The volume must be adjusted so that all transmissions can be heard."
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