About 4:38 p.m., on December 12, 1978, the sixth and seventh cars of a New York City Transit Authority subway train designated 'CC' 4:06 p.m. derailed within moments after departing 59th Street station. Twenty-two persons were injured, and property damage was estimated to be $667,500. While the Safety Board was investigating this accident, three other trains derailed from what appeared to be similar causes. Therefore, the investigation was expanded to include all four accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of each of the four accidents was a cracked wheel which had resulted from extensive overheating. Contributing to the cause of the overheating of the wheels was the partial application of a handbrake. Because of a lack of adequate inspection procedures, the New York City Transit Authority employees failed to detect the partially applied handbrake and the thermally damaged wheels before they cracked.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Railroad Accident Report - Derailment of New York City Transit Authority Subway Train, New York, New York, December 12, 1978


    Publication date :

    1979


    Size :

    37 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English