NTSB Updates Investigation of Capsizing of The Ethan Allen

The National Transportation Safety Board released the following update on its investigation into the Oct. 2, 2005 capsizing of the Ethan Allen at Lake George, New York, which claimed the lives of 20 passengers.

In early December, NTSB investigators returned to Lake George, New York, to meet with new party members (Cummins Inc., Hypro, and Scarano Boats) and existing party members from Shoreline Cruises, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. During the visit all party members examined the boat and took measurements.

The three new party members were added because they can provide technical expertise regarding the engine (Cummins Inc.), the engine coolant pump (Hypro), and the altered canopy (Scarano Boat Building). As the investigation proceeds, investigators are examining documents and testing equipment to try to determine the cause of the accident.

On Dec. 20, NTSB investigators and all party members observed the testing of a duplicate engine coolant pump at the Cummins facility in Charleston, South Carolina. The coolant pump from the Ethan Allen will be examined on Jan. 10 in the NTSB laboratory in Washington, D.C., to determine the condition of the pump postaccident.

The results of all tests conducted as part of the NTSB’s investigation of the Ethan Allen will be part of the Safety Board’s final report.