NTSB chair: Norfolk Southern's actions during East Palestine investigation were "unconscionable"
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The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) this week sharply criticized Norfolk Southern for its conduct throughout an investigation into the Feb. 3, 2023 train derailment in East Palestine.
Why it matters: In Tuesday remarks, Jennifer Homendy said the railway and its contractors repeatedly "delayed or failed to provide critical investigative information" to investigators and attempted to influence the process with manufactured evidence.
What they're saying: "Norfolk Southern's actions were unconscionable," Homendy said.
- Twice during the investigation, she said, she had to threaten the company with subpoenas to acquire needed information.
The big picture: In its final report, the NTSB found that a rail car's defective wheel bearing caused the derailment and that Norfolk Southern's decision to to vent and burn hazardous materials tank cars was unnecessary.
The latest: In a meeting two weeks ago, Homendy said a senior Norfolk Southern executive encouraged NTSB to close the chapter on the investigation and allow the community to move on.
- "The entire exchange ended with what-everyone from the NTSB heard in the room as a threat — and it was delivered that way — to use every avenue and opportunity to vigorously defend their decision-making in media and hearings going forward," Homendy said.
"It's not our role to defend Norfolk Southern," she said. "We're here to protect the American people and the traveling public."
The other side: In a statement to Axios, Norfolk Southern said that at all times, it cooperated "fully and ethically" with the investigation.
- "Our communications with NTSB staff and Board Members were always motivated by a desire to ensure they had all the relevant information for their independent evaluation and by a shared commitment to advance rail safety."