DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Federal investigators have issued their final report on a fiery 2017 derailment in northwest Iowa that was caused by a broken rail.
The National Transportation Safety Board issued its final report Tuesday on the Union Pacific derailment that released 322,000 gallons of ethanol near Graettinger (GREHT’-ihn-jur), Iowa.
The agency said last month that Union Pacific’s maintenance was inadequate before the March 2017 derailment, and Federal Railroad Administration inspectors didn’t do enough to identify flaws in the track.
The FRA is still reviewing the agency’s recommendation to improve training for its inspectors.
No injuries were reported in connection with the derailment in a rural area about 160 miles (257 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines. Five of the 20 derailed tankers plunged into Jack Creek.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.