Railroad accident report: Head-on collision between Iowa Interstate Railroad Extra 470 West and Extra 406 East with release of hazardous materials near Altoona, Iowa, on July 30, 1988. Irregular report
About 11:40 a.m. central daylight saving time on July 30, 1988, Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. (IAIS) freight trains Extra 470 West and Extra 406 East collided head on within the yard limits of Altoona, Iowa, about 10 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa. All 5 locomotive units from both trains; 11 cars of Extra 406 East; and 3 cars, including two tank cars containing denatured alcohol, of Extra 470 West derailed. The denatured alcohol, which was released through the pressure relief valves and the manway domes of the two derailed tank cars, was ignited by the fire resulting from the collision of the locomotives. Both crew members of Extra 470 West were fatally injured; the two crew members of Extra 406 East were only slightly injured. The estimated damage (including lading) as a result of this accident exceeded $1 million. The major safety issues in the accident include operational methods employed by the IAIS, training and selection of train and engine personnel, supervisory oversight by the IAIS, design of closure fittings on hazardous materials rail tanks, and oversight of regional railroads by the Federal Railroad Administration.
- Research Organization:
- National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, DC (USA). Bureau of Accident Investigation
- OSTI ID:
- 5427965
- Report Number(s):
- PB-89-916304/XAB; NTSB/RAR--89/04
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ACCIDENTS
CONTROL
ENGINEERING
FIRES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
INJURIES
LAND TRANSPORT
RAIL TRANSPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
SAFETY ENGINEERING
TRAFFIC CONTROL
TRAINS
TRANSPORT
VEHICLES