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Will the NTSB conclude the LA Commuter Train Wreck was caused by an Engineer text messaging?

Current forecast: 66% chance 1%
Combining all predictions, the current forecast is that this is 66% likely to happen (up 1% in last 1 day)

This is a repost of a question that was incorrectly settled, so here is some updated info:

The NTSB announced that the engineer WAS texting during this shift.

It was also found he was working an 11-1/2 hour split shift and didn't brake before colliding with the freight train, killing 25 passengers.

The NTSB has found the signals and tracks were working properly, and has narrowed its investigation to human error.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g-xsvlkTx_cLm6dJHngndxwYFgNAD938SGKG0

Two 14-year-old boys told CBS2-TV that they received a text message from the engineer shortly before the crash.

The Los Angeles station said the teen was among a group of youths who befriended the engineer and asked him questions about his work.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26718585/

MetroLink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said before the report aired that she would find it "unbelievable" that an engineer would be text messaging while operating a train.


It will be quite some time before an official NTSB investigation report is released. I would expect to hear something within 12 months so I'm setting the suspend date for one year. If the admins feel it will take longer, please edit it. This market should only settle as yes if it is proven the the crash was either solely or partially related to text messaging.


Settlement details: Actual NTSB conclusion as reported by a major mainstream news source.

 
Forecast history, %
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Make your prediction!

Yes
66%
No
34%
Activity: H$16,422
Question suspends in 42 weeks

Suspend date: Tue 15th Sep 2009 9:59pm PDT (42 weeks to go)

Initial likelihoods: Yes: 50%

Action history:

Created Sun 21st Sep 8:29pm PDT by gotmick
Suspended Wed 1st Oct 1:01pm PDT by newswrangler[Power User]: Suspended pending settlement
Settlement requested Wed 1st Oct 1:01pm PDT by newswrangler[Power User]: Winning prediction = "Yes"

"Federal authorities say engineer Robert M. Sanchez sent the message 22 seconds before his train hit the Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth on Sept. 12"

<http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-crash2-2008oct02,0,4888640.story>

Prediction cut-off 12:41PM PDT on October 1, 2008

(3:41PM EDT) (market suspended)
Unsuspended Thu 2nd Oct 11:56am PDT by ryanj[Admin]: The NTSB has only concluded that the engineer was texting during the crash but not that this was the cause

Suspend date: Tue 15th Sep 2009 9:59pm PDT (42 weeks to go)
more info...

 

Predictions (42)

42 predictions

2 weeks ago
gilliganp predicted Yes (H$50 at 65%)
3 weeks ago
growthy predicted Yes (H$100 at 65%)
3 weeks ago
growthy predicted Yes (H$50 at 66%)
6 weeks ago
laurieburr predicted Yes (H$50 at 66%)
6 weeks ago
bout3fitty predicted Yes (H$500 at 65%)
more

Comments (1)

  1 mork[Power User]
The morning of the collision, the operator sent 24 messages and received 21 in just over two hours, records now reveal. Back at work later that day, Sanchez received seven more text messages and sent five more, including one less than 25 seconds before the crash, the NTSB found.
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/AheadoftheCurve/story?id=5930052
posted 7 weeks ago

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