On March 4, 2023, about 4:54 p.m. local time, westbound Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) mixed freight train 179LC04 derailed 28 railcars at milepost 178.85 on the Dayton District near Springfield, Ohio. Twenty-one of the derailed railcars were loaded and 7 were empty; none were carrying hazardous materials. The derailment downed a powerline, which caused about 47 homes to lose power. No injuries were reported.
During the derailment, three wheelsets exhibited movement on their axles. After the derailment, NS removed 517 National Steel Car railcars from service. Additionally, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) issued an equipment inspection order on March 9, 2023, advising railroads to inspect and remove from service wheelsets that were mounted by National Steel Car.
The NTSB investigation focused on failure analysis of the wheelsets and on industry-wide standards and practices for railcar wheel and axle assembly processes, specifications, and quality control. The NTSB subsequently placed an investigative hold on these wheelsets, additional wheelsets and other truck components from the accident train, and wheelsets from elsewhere in the NS fleet for examination.
As a result of the physical evidence and results of examinations all inspected wheelsets were found to be in compliance with AAR’s Safety and Operations Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices Section G-II Wheel and Axel Manual and no evidence of movement on the axles prior to the derailment was identified. After this determination, AAR canceled the March 9 equipment order. While a final report for the investigation was not developed, the information from items in the investigation docket may be used to support safety issues identified in future investigations, reports, or other mission-related activities.
We produced an investigation close-out memorandum, which can be found in our docket.
