[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 11237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03605]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD


Public Hearing

    On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 the National Transportation Safety 
Board (NTSB) will convene an Investigative Hearing to gather additional 
factual information for the ongoing investigation into the collision of 
Union Pacific intermodal train No. ZLAAH-22 with Union Pacific (UP) 
intermodal train No. AAMMLX-22 on June 24, 2012 near Goodwell, 
Oklahoma. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m., is open to all, and the 
attendance is free (no registration required). All five NTSB Board 
Members will serve as members of the Board of Inquiry. The NTSB 
Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will preside over the Investigative 
Hearing.
    On June 24, 2012, about 10:01 a.m. central daylight time, eastbound 
UP freight train ZLAAH-22 and westbound UP freight train AAMMLX-22 
collided head on while operating on straight track on UP's Pratt 
Subdivision near Goodwell, Oklahoma. As a result of the collision, both 
crewmembers on the eastbound train and one crewmember on the westbound 
train were fatally injured. The other crewmember on the westbound train 
jumped from the locomotive prior to the collision and survived with no 
major injuries. Fuel tanks from the derailed locomotives were ruptured, 
which created a diesel-fed fire. Damage was estimated at $14.79 
million. Although this accident investigation is still ongoing, 
evidence points to the fact that this collision could have been 
prevented by a positive train control (PTC) system. Analysis of the 
accident, along with conclusions and a determination of probable cause, 
will become public at a later date after a final report on the 
investigation is completed, and reviewed and adopted by the NTSB 
Members.
    The investigative hearing is being held to discuss UP's management 
of human error in its operations and system safety programs, and the 
status of PTC implementation on the UP. The goals of this hearing would 
be to promote and facilitate dialogue to better understand UP's safety 
management policies and programs associated with human error, 
operational accident and incident data collection, and the use such 
data to improve safety, and the current status of PTC implementation.
    Parties to the hearing include the FRA, Union Pacific Railroad, 
United Transportation Union, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Engineers & Trainmen.

Order of Proceedings

1. Opening Statement by the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry
2. Introduction of the Board of Inquiry and Technical Panel
3. Introduction of the Parties to the Hearing
4. Introduction of Exhibits by Hearing Officer
5. Overview of the accident, the investigation, and the Union Pacific 
railroad system by Investigator-In-Charge
6. Calling of Witnesses by Hearing Officer
7. Closing Statement by the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry
    Additional information can be found on the web at: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/2013/goodwell_ok/index.html.
    The accident docket is DCA12MR005.
    The Investigative Hearing will be held in the NTSB Board Room and 
Conference Center, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza E. SW., Washington, 
DC. The public can view the hearing in person or by live webcast at 
www.ntsb.gov. Webcast archives are generally available by the end of 
the next day following the forum, and Webcasts are archived for a 
period of 3 months from after the date of the event.
    Individuals requesting specific accommodations should contact Ms. 
Rochelle Hall at (202) 314-6305 or by email at [email protected] 
by Friday, February 22, 2013.
    NTSB Media Contact: Mr. Terry [email protected].
    NTSB Investigative Hearing Officer: Mr. Michael E. Hiller_
[email protected].

    Dated: February 12, 2013.
Candi R. Bing,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-03605 Filed 2-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7533-01-P