Investigative Hearing:  Norfolk Southern Railway Train Derailment with Subsequent Hazardous Material Release and Fires Flyer

Investigative Hearing: Norfolk Southern Railway Train Derailment with Subsequent Hazardous Material Release and Fires

​​The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold an investigative hearing open to the public in East Palestine, Ohio, on June 22-23. During the hearing, the NTSB will gather sworn testimony about the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment with subsequent hazardous material release and fires. It is a fact-finding step in our safety investigation, and the testimony will become part of the public record of the investigation.

​See the full hearing agenda

Access the hearing docket​
*This docket is for items that were addressed during the hearing. It is not the investigation docket which will be released at a later date. ​​

Watch the hearing on NTSB YouTube Channel​

  


WHAT: An NTSB investigative hearing on the East Palestine derailment and subsequent hazardous material release and fires.

WHO: NTSB Board members, investigative staff, scheduled witnesses, and parties to the hearing.

WHEN: Thursday, June 22, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday, June 23, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern time.

WHERE: East Palestine High School, 360 West Grant Street, East Palestine, Ohio.

HOW: Attend in person or watch live on the NTSB YouTube channel

About the Investigative Hearing

The hearing will focus on:

  1. ​Hazard Communications and Emergency Responder Preparedness for the Initial Emergency Response
  2. Circumstances that Led to the Decision to Vent and Burn Five Vinyl Chloride Tank Cars
  3. Freight Car Bearing Failure Modes and Wayside Detection Systems
  4. Tank Car Derailment Damage, Crashworthiness, and Hazardous Materials Package Information

Who Can Participate

During the hearing, only NTSB Board members, investigative staff, and designated parties to the hearing may ask questions of witnesses, who testify under oath. All the parties work under the NTSB’s leadership. 

The public is invited to observe the hearing only. For those with questions about the investigative process, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy will host a community meeting on June 21 at East Palestine High School at 6 p.m. Eastern time. Learn more on the community meeting webpage

​​Parties to the hearing are the:

  • ​Federal Railroad Administration; 
  • Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; 
  • Norfolk Southern Corporation; 
  • Trinity Rail Management Leasing Services; 
  • Oxy Vinyls, LP; 
  • Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; 
  • International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers;
  • Transportation Communications Union/IAM; 
  • Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen;
  • International Association of Fire Fighters; and 
  • Village of East Palestine.       ​

Results of the Hearing

After the hearing, the NTSB will use the information gathered to complete the investigation, determine probable cause, and make recommendations to improve transportation safety. The full investigation will take approximately one year to 18 months from the date of the accident to complete. 

Read more about our investigative process and investigative hearings

Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation to attend this hearing, including sign language interpretation, should contact Stephanie Shaw, Hearing Officer, at ​ EastPalestine​[email protected].​

Media

Media planning to attend should RSVP at mediarelations​@NTSB.gov

Security Protocols and Screening 

To ensure the safety and security of everyone, Federal Protective Service will oversee security for the investigative hearing. Anyone planning to attend should arrive early to allow time for processing through security screening, which will include magnetometers. 

General categories of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

  • ​​Firearms and ammunition of any type
  • Bladed, edged or sharp objects
  • Club-like items and striking devices
  • Explosives​


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