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**BALTIMORE (AP)** — Investigators trying to determine what caused the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge have found a loose cable that could have led to electrical failures on the cargo ship Dali. This power loss resulted in the ship veering off course and hitting the bridge on March 26, 2024, according to documents released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The loose cable, when disconnected, triggered an electrical blackout on the Dali, similar to the one that occurred as the ship neared the bridge. While the documents do not provide conclusions, those will be issued in the final report. The NTSB spokesperson declined to comment further as the investigation is ongoing.
The Dali, en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, experienced steering failure due to the power outage and collided with a supporting column of the bridge, destroying its 1.6-mile span and causing the deaths of six roadwork crew members.
Earlier this year, a preliminary report by safety investigators described power problems the ship faced before and after leaving Baltimore. The new documents give further insights into how the electrical system may have failed immediately before the tragic event.
The ship first encountered a power outage while still docked in Baltimore after a crew member accidentally closed an exhaust damper during maintenance, causing a diesel engine to stall. Following this, the crew switched the ship’s electrical setup to a different transformer and breaker system for its departure. Investigators found the loose cable in this secondary system.
Additional reports in June mention that an electrical component called a terminal block was removed for further testing. Engineers from Hyundai, who manufactured the ship’s electrical system, suggested that the loose cable could create an open circuit and cause a breaker to open, resulting in a blackout.
This was confirmed by their simulation, which also caused a blackout. Hyundai’s experts from South Korea assisted in the investigation starting in April.
The documents also include various inspection certificates indicating the Dali’s general condition and compliance with maritime safety regulations.
Former NTSB investigator Tom Roth-Roffy, who specialized in maritime cases, noted that the loose cable could indeed cause a blackout. He praised the investigators’ thorough approach, though he also mentioned that discovering such issues can be challenging due to the complexity of a ship’s wiring and the effects of constant vibrations.
The Dali departed Baltimore for Virginia in late June for repairs. According to local reports, it is expected to head to China later this month for further work.