ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Transportation Safety Board has wrapped up the field portion of an investigation into the deaths of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) track inspectors.
The workers were killed Nov. 30 after they were struck by a train near the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station in Alexandria, Va. The NTSB continues to investigate.
A sight distance test was completed in early December, and investigators have recordings and transcripts of radio conversations between the train operator and dispatchers and are reviewing them. A security camera video from the station platform that shows the accident is being enhanced.
Follow-up interviews with the operator and supervisory personnel have been held.
The investigating team is reviewing WMATA rules and procedures in place at the time of the accident and any changes since then. It will review any changes being contemplated, if appropriate. Investigators will be completing interviews with family members of the two track workers to document their activities in the 72 hours before the accident.
The NTSB is conducting an engineering study of train braking capabilities to overlay with sight distance measurements.
Factual reports will be developed and placed in the public docket at a later time, the NTSB said.
