NTSB: Monorail pilot may have tried to back up

Friday, July 10, 2009

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The report said Wuennenberg, 21, may have tried to put his train in reverse before the collision.

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- The Walt Disney World monorail pilot killed in an accident Sunday may have tried to back up his train just before a second train slammed into him, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday.

According to the board's preliminary findings, the pilot of Monorail Pink was backing up, and was supposed to switch to a different track -- but the track never switched, and the pink train crashed into Monorail Purple, killing pilot Austin Wuennenberg Sunday.

The report said Wuennenberg, 21, may have tried to put his train in reverse before the collision.

Wuennenberg's train apparently had six passengers still on board at the time of the crash.

The NTSB investigator is conducting interviews with operators, dispatchers and other cast members. He said he has not yet talked to any of the passengers.

The monorail does have a data recorder similar to the black box on trains, the NTSB said. The recorder shows Wuennenberg stopped his train just short of his station and put it in reverse, which leads them to believe he saw the pink train coming toward him.

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NTSB officials say no mechanical malfunctions were noted, leaving human error to be the likely cause of the crash.

Disney officials said they could not comment as to whether any employees had been suspended or disciplined in connection with the accident. They said the NTSB told them not to comment on crash in any way.

NTSB officials said they did not know if any employees had been disciplined.

The board's investigator said he will continue to be at Walt Disney World for several more days, but is not expected to make safety recommendations for up to a year.

Family, Friends Remember Austin For His Enthusiasm

KISSIMMEE -- At a memorial Wednesday, family and friends remembered the young man who was killed in a tragic monorail accident at Walt Disney World.

Hundreds packed the First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee to honor Austin Wuennenberg.

Before the service, Austin's uncle gave a short statement on behalf of the family.

"The family would like to express our gratitude to the many friends of Chris and Austin for their outpouring of love and kindness. In this difficult time, the numerous expressions of love have been a comfort to the family. It is a tribute to the positive impact that Austin made in the lives of everyone he met. Many of you know Austin as a monorail pilot for Disney. While he loved doing that, it was his part time job. He was a full-time college student, computer programmer and loving son," said Bill Shanahan, Wuennenberg's uncle.

During the memorial service, several people got up to talk about Wuennenberg.

The chaplain of Stetson University and his friends spoke about what a great student he was.

Wuennenberg's girlfriend stopped to kiss his urn at the front of the church before she got up to talk about how much he loved his job as a monorail pilot.

"What a cool way to die. Doing what you love," she said.

This story is from our Bright House Networks partner, News 13.