NTL Record

Title Application of commercial aircraft accident investigation techniques to a railroad derailment.
Record ID 39213
Personal Name
Creator
Braden, Gale; Reed, William; Swearingen, John J.
Corporate Creator Civil Aeromedical Institute
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Office of Aviation Medicine
Publisher Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Publication Date 19730100
Language English
Abstract Crash investigation techniques utilized by human factors teams in investigating commercial airline crashes have been applied in the analysis of a railroad train derailment - crash. Passengers in cars that remained upright experienced very low deceleration forces and practically no injuries in stopping from a speed of 90 miles per hour over distances in excess of 1,000 feet. Four passenger cars and the diner were turned over on their sides and continued to slide after jackknifing. During the turnover and slide these cars were penetrated by railroad rails, cross ties, and a heavy compressor. Several passengers were ejected through windows and crushed beneath the cars. The 11 deaths and all severe and serious injuries occurred in these five overturned cars. An analysis of escape routes from an overturned railroad passenger car is presented and shows that it is difficult for an injured passenger to escape.
Rosap ID dot:21015
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21015
TRT Terms Air transportation crashes; Crash injuries; Vehicle design; Emergency exits; Escape systems; Crash investigation; Derailments; Railroad crashes; Passengers; Fatalities; Laceration; Bone fractures; Internal injuries; Contusions; Crushing injuries; Crashworthiness; Deceleration; Jackknifing; Research reports; Impact studies
General Subjects Aircraft accidents; Railroad accidents--Investigation; Railroads--Crashworthiness; Crash injuries; Skin--Wounds and injuries; Bruises; Crush syndrome; Fractures
Classification NTL - AVIATION - AVIATION;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Accidents;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number FAA-AM-73-1; DOT/FAA/AM-73/1
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/39000/39200/39213/AM73-01.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository