Page:NTSB RAR-81-4.pdf/3

CONTENTS

1. SYNOPSIS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   1

2. INVESTIGATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   1

3. The Accident ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   1

4. Injuries to Persons ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   4

5. Damage ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   4

6. Crewmember Information ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   4

7. Train Information ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   6

8. Postaccident Inspection of Train Equipment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   9

9. Track and Signal Information ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   11

10. Postaccident Inspection of Signal Equipment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    12

11. Method of Operation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    12

12. Meteorological Information ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    15

13. Survival Aspects ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    19

14. ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    19

15. Protection For Trains ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    19

16. Radio Communications ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    20

17. Crashworthiness ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    21

18. Emergency Evacuation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    23

19. Training and Supervision of Operator ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    23

20. CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    24

21. Findings ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    24

22. Probable Cause ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    25

23. RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    25

24. APPENDIXES ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    27

25. Appendix A—Investigation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    27

26. Appendix B—Crewmember Information ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    27

27. Appendix C—ranscript of the Dispatcher's Open Wire Incident Involving OPSE-7 and No.74 on November 7,1980 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    30

28. Appendix D——Excerpts from Conrail Rules of the Transportation Department ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    37

29. Appendix E—Excerpts from Conrail Timetable Special Instructions ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    39

30. Appendix F—Excerpts from 49 CFR 217 Railroad Operating Rules And 49 CFR 220 Radio Procedures ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    40

31. Appendix G—Excerpt from Rail Safety/ Equipment Crashworthiness Report No.FRA/ORD-77/73,IV ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    43

32. Appendix H—Structural Testing-Trailer Car ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    44

33. Appendix I—FRA Letter ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    46

ii