Dali Lost Electrical Power Several Times Before Bridge Crash

Federal investigators reported on Tuesday that the Dali cargo ship experienced multiple electrical power failures, including one the day before its collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, which resulted in six deaths.

According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Dali suffered a blackout during in-port maintenance approximately 10 hours before departing Baltimore. 

The report also highlighted additional outages, including one just minutes before the crash, when electrical breakers unexpectedly tripped, cutting power to all shipboard lighting and most equipment.

The NTSB stated that the loss of electrical power caused all three steering pumps to stop, rendering the rudder immovable.