Investigators found that a single wire, improperly inserted due to its label banding, caused a breaker to trip—triggering two complete power blackouts on the 984-foot cargo vessel Dali. These blackouts disabled the ship’s propulsion and steering, leading to the deadly collision.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said locating the fault felt like “finding a needle in a haystack,” as experts from the agency and shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy tested thousands of wires before discovering the issue.
The NTSB also concluded that the bridge collapse could have been prevented if the Maryland Transportation Authority had conducted a vulnerability assessment, which would have highlighted the need for protective countermeasures against large vessel impacts.
Meanwhile, the projected cost of rebuilding the bridge has soared to $4.3–$5.2 billion, with the new opening date pushed back to late 2030. Officials say higher costs stem from a redesigned, longer structure and a stronger pier protection system.
The board also recommended regular high-voltage switchboard inspections and updates to help ships recover power more quickly. The Dali had suffered multiple electrical failures before the fatal accident, including a blackout shortly before the crash.
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