Inoperable Brakes Caused SEPTA Trolley Crash That Hurt 3: NTSB

PHILADELPHIA — Inoperable brakes are to blame for a late July SEPTA trolley crash that hurt three people, according to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board.

According to the board, the trolley was undergoing an air compressor replacement as part of a process that spanned multiple shifts throughout the day and involved multiple maintenance personnel.

As part of this process, maintenance personnel rendered the trolley’s air brakes inoperable to allow for the manual repositioning of the trolley within the facility, the report says.

The crash occurred at about 10:18 p.m. July 27 at the intersection of Island Avenue and Woodland Avenue.

Officials said the trolley struck an SUV after it derailed.

A maintenance technician, who was driving the trolley toward Island Avenue, was unable to apply the air brakes and stop the trolley from moving downhill along Island Avenue, the report states.

The maintenance technician jumped out of the trolley before the derailment and sustained minor injuries.

Two of the four occupants in the SUV were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The trolley also struck the Blue Bell Inn, which was occupied by one person who was not injured.

SEPTA estimated equipment damage to be about $500,000.

Longcare Appraisal & Adjustment estimated damage to the Blue Bell Inn to be about $300,000.

Shortly before the accident, a shift foreman told the aforementioned maintenance technician to reposition the trolley for temporary storage.

The technician told National Transportation Safety Board investigators was not made aware of the trolley’s air brakes being rendered inoperable.

Officials said the technician drove the trolley under its own power toward Island Avenue, but when he tried to brake, the trolley failed to stop.

The trolley continued on the downhill grade along Island Avenue until it derailed at the intersection of Island Avenue and Woodland Avenue about 20 mph.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation is ongoing.

Future investigative activity will focus on SEPTA’s trolley repair and maintenance practices, including pre-movement procedures for maintenance personnel as well as maintenance personnel training and supervision, and railroad oversight.

Parties to the investigation include the Federal Transit Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, SEPTA, and the Transport Workers Union of Philadelphia Local 234.