EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The head of the National Transportation Safety Board stated on Tuesday that Norfolk Southern attempted to interfere with the agency’s investigation into the East Palestine derailment and influence its findings regarding the decision to open five tank cars and burn the vinyl chloride inside.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the NTSB confirmed that the derailment in February 2023 was caused by a wheel bearing that had been on fire for more than 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) before the incident, but was not detected early enough due to inaccurate trackside detectors. The board also approved over two dozen recommendations to prevent similar accidents, including implementing federal regulations for trackside detectors and railroad response protocols, as well as reviewing the criteria for deciding on a vent and burn operation.
In February 2023, numerous freight cars derailed near East Palestine, with 11 carrying hazardous materials. Some residents were evacuated that night, and additional evacuations were required days later due to concerns of an explosion. Despite potential health risks, officials intentionally released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five railcars three days after the crash, causing flames and smoke to billow into the air.
At the conclusion of the meeting, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy accused Norfolk Southern of obstructing the investigation and misusing its status as a party to the inquiry to gather information.
Homendy highlighted multiple instances where the railroad withheld information from investigators or caused delays. She mentioned making threats to issue subpoenas for information after Norfolk Southern failed to provide necessary details in a timely manner.
Additionally, Homendy revealed that a railroad contractor claimed they did not keep records of temperature changes in the tank cars holding vinyl chloride, but later evidence showed otherwise.
Furthermore, the railroad reported having only 20 minutes of voice recordings from the engine’s cab of the derailed train weeks after the incident, despite requests to preserve such evidence.
The NTSB’s revelations in Tuesday’s hearing shed more light on the overheating bearing and the deficiencies in the trackside detectors, as well as the flawed decision-making process leading to the vent and burn operation.
Homendy stated that Norfolk Southern and its contractors failed to provide accurate information to Oxy Vinyls, the company responsible for the vinyl chloride, which affected the decision to proceed with the vent and burn operation.
Despite the railroad defending its decision, Homendy emphasized that evidence suggested a re-evaluation should have been conducted based on the available data.
While Norfolk Southern settled with the federal government and reached a $600 million class action settlement with residents, the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania are continuing their investigations, potentially holding the railroad accountable for additional consequences.
NTSB recommendations, though not mandatory, may be considered for enforcement by Congress due to the attention drawn to rail safety by this incident.
Funk contributed from Omaha, Nebraska, and Krisher from Detroit.
