NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
February 27, 2009

NTSB TO OPEN DOCKET ON 2008 CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA RAIL ACCIDENT DURING PUBLIC HEARING NEXT WEEK

Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board will open the docket on the 2008 Metrolink rail accident in Chatsworth, California at the start of a public hearing, on March 3, 2009, at 9 a.m. (EST).  During the two-day hearing, the Safety Board will hear testimony from witnesses called to supplement the facts discovered during the on-scene phase and subsequent follow-up investigation of the accident.

On September 12, 2008 at approximately 4:22 pm (PDT), Metrolink commuter train 111 and a Union Pacific freight train collided.  As a result of this head-on accident, there were 25 fatalities and numerous injuries.  

The information being released is factual in nature and does not provide analysis or the probable cause of the accident. The docket will include investigative group factual reports, interview transcripts, and other documents from the investigation. Additional material will be added to the docket as it becomes available.

The public may view and download the docket contents via our web site under the "FOIA Reading Room"at http://www.ntsb.gov/Info/foia_fri-dockets.htm.  In addition, docket items that will be used as exhibits during the public hearing will be available on the website under "Public Hearings"

Witnesses for the hearing will be representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration, California Public Utilities, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Connex Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad Company, United Transportation Union, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Mass. Electric Construction Company, and City of Los Angeles, California. 

Day one of the hearing will focus on Train Signals and Operating Rules.  On day two, there will be a continuation of the discussion on Operating Rules and testimony on Positive Train Control Safety.

The NTSB's Board Room and Conference Center is located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.  The room is lighted for television and a mult box is provided for sound.

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NTSB Media Contact:  Terry N. Williams
                    (202) 314-6100
                    terry.williams@ntsb.gov