NTSB Eyes on Engine Malfunction as Major Cause of Ferry Accident that Injures Dozens of People

Photo gives credit to NY Daily News.

Following the ferry accident that injures 74 morning commuters in Manhattan, New York more than a week ago, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a series of investigation to determine that main cause of the accident and definitely to assess who will be held liable for all the damages and injuries that the incident incurred.

As recently reported, the current investigation focuses on the ferry’s engines and why they may have failed according to the federal officials.

Previous reports claimed that the high speed ferry carrying hundreds of morning commuters from Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey  crashed into a dock in lower Manhattan, New York last January 9. As a result of the strong impact of the crash, passengers were tossed into the air and sent others tumbling down stairs. 74 people were reportedly injured, 2 of them were critical condition and some 11 were in serious condition including the one who suffered severe brain injury after falling down a staircase.

According to a statement released by the board’s spokesperson, Robert Sumwalt, the investigation has a possible breakthrough since the investigators learned that the ferry’s engine have a data recording system feature which they can further examine.

During an investigation with the ferry’s captain, Jason Reimer, the latter claimed that there was a mechanical failure onboard. He affirmed that he was unable to put the ferry in reverse mode as he tried to dock the same and then the engines died shortly.

On the contrary, experts claimed that at the time of the accident, the ferry was going about 13 mph, which is fast for a usual crawl into the slip but not necessarily for turning into the area.  Following the impact, experts further said that it would be possible for the ferry to dock normally.

Moreover, the board official recently learned that the ferry had just undergone a major overhaul that gave it new engines and propulsion system. Therefore, they were looking into it whether the same was a factor to the incident.

Incidentally, the ferry’s engines were made by a Michigan-based company, whose representatives were also sent at the scene to help the investigators to extract data from the engines. Also, video cameras installed on boards are now being reviewed to determine whether it would do any help with the ongoing investigation.

In addition, investigators interviewed the crews, first responders and several witnesses for possible additional information. The board even welcomes amateur videos taken during the actual incident from anyone.

In such cases of personal injury and / or brain injury claim, investigation plays a significant role in providing strong and convincing evidences to stress out that a person or a party’s negligence really caused the accident or injuries, noted by a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.