There are no other witnesses to be called to testify at this time, so this portion of the Safety Board’s investigation is concluded. I want to emphasize that, in accordance with our procedures, this investigation will remain open to receive – at anytime – new and pertinent information regarding the Wilmer, Texas accident, and related safety issues. The Safety Board may, at its discretion, re-open the inquiry to ensure that such information is made part of the public record.

To repeat what I said in my opening statement, the parties to this hearing have the opportunity to submit proposed findings of facts, conclusions, and recommendations. Please forward any such submissions to Ms. Michele McMurtry, the Hearing Officer, at the National Transportation Safety Board’s Washington D.C. office, within 30 calendar days from receipt of the transcript today – that would be not later than September 8, 2006. Any parties making such a submission should also send copies of their proposals to each of the other parties. Any and all such proposals will be made part of the public docket and will receive careful consideration during the Safety Board’s analysis of the evidence, and during the preparation of the Safety Board’s final report of this accident. From the evidence collected, the Safety Board will determine the probable cause of this accident, and make any recommendations necessary to prevent similar accidents. The final report will take several months to complete. However, Safety Recommendations may be made at any time.

On behalf of the National Transportation Safety Board, I want to express our sympathy and offer our support to the families of those who died and those who were injured in this tragic accident. I also want to thank the parties in this proceeding for their cooperation, not only during this proceeding, but also throughout the entire investigation of this accident. Also, on behalf of the Board of Inquiry and Technical Panel, I want to express sincere appreciation to all individuals, groups, companies, associations, and agencies that have participated throughout this hearing. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank all of the witnesses who gave testimony during this hearing. This is a difficult accident for the victims, for the families, for the Safety Board, and all who have participated in this investigation. The Safety Board will work as hard in the coming months as we have since late September 2005 to understand the issues in this accident and to make recommendations, and urge their implementation, to improve transportation safety.

This hearing is now adjourned.

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