What caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse?

A loose signal wire caused a power blackout on the cargo ship Dali, leading it to strike the bridge's support pier.

Who is responsible for the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse?

The NTSB cited a faulty wire installation and the Maryland Transportation Authority's failure to implement safety recommendations.

How much will it cost to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The estimated cost to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge has soared to $5.2 billion, more than double the original estimate.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Faulty Wire Caused Dali's Bridge Disaster

Faulty Wire Caused Dali's Bridge Disaster

19 Nov

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Summary

A loose signal wire caused the cargo ship Dali to lose power.
The NTSB cited the Maryland Transportation Authority for bridge safety failures.
Rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge will cost $5.2 billion.

Faulty Wire Caused Dali's Bridge Disaster

The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge was triggered by a loose signal wire that caused a total power blackout on the cargo ship Dali. This loss of power left the vessel without propulsion or steering moments before it struck a support pier.

The National Transportation Safety Board's final report identified improper installation of a wireless label banding as the root cause of the electrical failure. The NTSB further criticized the Maryland Transportation Authority for not conducting a vulnerability assessment, a step that could have enhanced the bridge's resilience against ship strikes.

Engineers also pointed to the crew's misuse of a flushing pump and critical systems being left in manual mode, hindering recovery. The disaster's aftermath includes a projected rebuilding cost of $5.2 billion and a completion timeline extending to 2030, significantly exceeding initial estimates.

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