Loose Electrical Cable On MV Dali Ship Led To The Collapse Of Baltimore Bridge

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore was caused by a loose electrical cable, according to investigators.

The cable found aboard the cargo ship Dali may have caused an electrical blackout, causing the vessel to lose power and change direction off course before colliding with one of the bridge’s supporting columns on March 26, 2024.

According to new details released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the cable’s disconnection caused a power loss similar to what the ship experienced as it approached the bridge.

Although the documents do not yet include analysis or conclusions, the NTSB has confirmed that these findings will be addressed in the final report. The NTSB has refused to comment further as the investigation is still underway.

The incident led to the collapse of the 1.6-mile bridge span and the deaths of six roadwork crew members. The Dali, en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, experienced power outages before and after departure.

A preliminary assessment had already identified these issues, but new reports reveal additional details on the ship’s electrical system failures that led up to the accident.

The ship’s power outage occurred while it was docked in Baltimore. It was caused by a crew member’s error during maintenance that led to an engine stall.

The ship’s crew then changed its electrical configuration, switching to a different transformer and breaker system just before departure. The new reports show that investigators found the problematic loose cable in this secondary system.

Further investigation found that the loose wire could cause an open circuit and a breaker to trip, leading to a blackout. Engineers from Hyundai, the ship’s electrical system manufacturer, confirmed that removing the wire in simulations resulted in a complete power outage on the Dali.

The new reports also included various inspection certificates for the Dali, verifying its overall condition and compliance with maritime safety standards.

While the finding of the loose cable appears essential, a former NTSB maritime investigator stated that it is difficult to identify whether inadequate maintenance or other circumstances, such as continuous vibrations on a ship, caused it. The crew is mainly responsible for the ship’s maintenance and operation.

The MV Dali ship left Baltimore for Virginia in late June and was scheduled for repairs there. According to reports, it will continue its journey to China later this month.

Reference: AP News, ABC News

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