Get FRA Headquarters-Level Railroad Accident Investigations by e-mail.
FRA Accident/Incident Investigations The FRA Office of Safety Accidents Analysis Branch continuously monitors the occurrence of train accidents and incidents in real time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. FRA field personnel are routinely dispatched to the scene of serious train accidents in order to determine their cause, or whether a formal investigation is warranted. Such determinations are made based upon both objective and subjective criteria. FRA investigators also assess compliance with the existing safety laws and regulations, and whether enforcement actions are justified. The results of investigations also help determine the necessity of amending regulations or issuing new ones to address particular safety concerns.
If an event is assigned for investigation a team comprised of subject experts undertake a methodical examination of the event, and once complete, a report on their findings is filed. Generally, headquarters-assigned investigations are only undertaken for significant railroad accidents, including certain highway-rail grade crossing collisions and all railroad employee fatalities. FRA accident investigations typically take from six to nine months to complete, and no portions of reports are made public until the investigation is reviewed, approved and finalized. If the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) decides to investigate an accident, by law it assumes primary responsibility for managing the investigative process with FRA performing a concurrent supporting role. FRA does not typically release its own report about an accident until the NTSB has issued its findings.
On this page, you will find links to completed headquarters-assigned Factual Investigation Reports from 2005 forward that provide a detailed narrative describing the event, including a determination of probable cause. Please note that due to size constraints and other considerations, attachments and exhibits associated with these reports are not posted online, and will continue to be available only through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Accident/Incident reports that railroads are required by law to file with the FRA have been and will continue to be available online at http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/
These websites contain accident or incident reports filed by railroad carriers under 49 U.S.C.§20901 or made by the Secretary of Transportation under 49 U.S.C. §20902. Under 49 U.S.C. §20903, no portion of a report made under section 20901 or 20902 can be used in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report.
Headquarters-Level Accident Investigation Reports - 2009
Headquarters-Level Accident Investigation Reports - 2008
Headquarters-Level Accident Investigation Reports - 2007
Headquarters-Level Accident Investigation Reports - 2006
Headquarters-Level Accident Investigation Reports - 2005
Summary of Headquarters-Level Accidents Investigated by the Federal Railroad Administration - 2004
Summary of Headquarters-Level Accidents Investigated by the Federal Railroad Administration - 2003
Summary of Headquarters-Level Accidents Investigated by the Federal Railroad Administration - 2002
