NTSB Issues Investigative Update for Baltimore Bridge Collapse
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals that the cargo ship Dali experienced multiple catastrophic electrical failures prior to its collision with Baltimore’s Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. The report details that the ship suffered two power outages just minutes before the crash, attributed to tripped circuit breakers that disabled essential pumps for the ship’s propeller and rudder. This loss of power occurred three ships’ lengths from the bridge, and the emergency generator was found to be inadequately configured to power the vessel. The Dali had also experienced two earlier blackouts while moored in the Port of Baltimore, with one attributed to crew error.
The collision led to the collapse of the 1.6-mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers and severely disrupting the Port of Baltimore’s critical shipping routes. The NTSB’s ongoing investigation is scrutinizing the design and operation of the ship’s power distribution system, and officials are exploring potential criminal aspects of the crew’s failure to report the in-port blackouts. The incident has prompted extensive legal and logistical responses, including federal commitments to rebuild the bridge and ongoing legal battles over liability and damages.
