Investigators say Mexican ship accelerated when it backed into the Brooklyn Bridge

A sudden acceleration

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

The Mexican Navy ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17 suddenly accelerated while backing into the infrastructure, federal officials said. It is the first finding of the investigation into the accident.

First report

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

In a press conference following the accident, officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said they are expected to release a first report in 30 days.

It is just the start

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

“We will not be drawing any conclusions. We will not speculate,” Michael Graham, an NTSB board member, told the media, according to The New York Times.

“Mechanical problem”

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

The investigators said the conclusions of the Cuauhtémoc ship investigation could take up to two years. According to CNN, local police first speculated that the accident occurred due to a "mechanical problem."

Accelerating

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

Also from the NTSB, Brian Young said the ship was moving at about 2.3 knots after shoving off the pier, but the speed suddenly increased. By the time of the coalition, it had reached 6 knots.

Unclear reasons

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

Mr. Young added that the reasons for the acceleration are unknown. He also said the ship sought assistance by radio several seconds before the crash, and emergency workers reached the scene three minutes after it.

Rudder failure

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

Experts analyzed a New York Times video to confirm the claims. The captain of the Cuauhtémoc said he lost control of the vessel after the rudder stopped working.

More questions

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

The investigators also said they would interview the harbor pilot, whose job was to help the Mexican crew navigate the difficult New York Harbor conditions, the New York Times said.

Data recorder

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

Another key piece is the ship's voyage data recorder, which can provide crucial information. An NTSB board member told the media they were working with Mexican authorities to access the boat and records.

Why was it there?

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

The ship was a school boat from the Mexican Navy. It set out from Acapulco on April 6 for a months-long world tour to finish cadet training. The ship sailed through the Caribbean before reaching New York. It was setting out for Iceland.

277 crew members

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

Following the accident, the ship was moved to a nearby dock for the crew to disembark, and is now undergoing repairs. The ship, measuring 91 meters long and 48 meters high, was carrying 277 people.

Dead and wounded

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

The ship's collision left two sailors dead and at least 22 injured, the Mexican authorities confirmed. They said that most crew members returned to the country, and two are still hospitalized.

A cadet and a sailor

A sudden acceleration, First report, It is just the start, “Mechanical problem”, Accelerating, Unclear reasons, Rudder failure, More questions, Data recorder, Why was it there?, 277 crew members, Dead and wounded, A cadet and a sailor

Mexican authorities also confirmed the deceased were cadet America Yamilet Sánchez (photo), from Xalapa, Veracruz, and sailor Adal Jair Marcos, from San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca.

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