NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Baltimore Bridge Collapse

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Preliminary report on the incident involving the Singapore-flagged cargo ship dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024. The collapse of the bridge closed the Port of Baltimore temporarily until salvage crews created limited shipping channels. The report details that the dali lost power and propulsion, leading to the collision with the bridge and subsequent collapse.

During the incident, seven road maintenance workers and an inspector were on the bridge, resulting in six crew members losing their lives, one sustaining serious injuries, and the inspector escaping unharmed. The U.S. Coast Guard has classified the accident as a major marine casualty, with the NTSB leading the safety investigation. The report chronicles the events leading up to the accident, including efforts to alert authorities to the danger.

The dali experienced two power outages before colliding with the bridge, leaving the ship without control or propulsion. Despite attempts to restore power and anchor, the crew was unsuccessful in regaining control, resulting in the collision at a speed of approximately 6.5 knots and the collapse of six bridge spans. The NTSB also provided background information on the dali, including previous port power outages and a fuel change, ruling out fuel quality as a factor in the accident. The release of the preliminary report comes ahead of recovery efforts to refloat the ship and reopen the 50-foot-deep federal canal next month, with the FBI opening a criminal investigation into the collapse.

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