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.
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:
- Hazard Communications and Emergency Responder Preparedness for the Initial Emergency Response
- Circumstances that Led to the Decision to Vent and Burn Five Vinyl Chloride Tank Cars
- Freight Car Bearing Failure Modes and Wayside Detection Systems
- 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
EastPalestineHearing@NTSB.gov.
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
