JR East announced the investigation results and measures regarding the incident on September 19, where the coupling parts of the Tohoku Shinkansen “Hayabusa/Komachi No. 6” detached while the train was operating.
In a detailed investigation of the E6 series Komachi, metal fragments (chips) were discovered near the terminal part of the switch handled to re-divide the train if the coupling operation was not completed. There were also metal fragments around the back of the switch, and when a test was conducted to allow these fragments to come in contact with the terminal part, the behavior of the coupler separating was reproduced.
The presumptive cause is estimated to be short-circuiting between the terminals of the switch, which is handled to re-divide the train if the coupling operation is not completed on the E6 series’ cockpit, by the metal fragments. This forced connection, which should normally be made electronically through the switch, caused the coupler to detach. The vehicle manufacturer’s investigation suggests that some of the fragments generated during production remained inside the vehicle body.
As a result, inspections were conducted on all 96 formations that perform coupled operations to check for the presence of metal fragments near the terminal part of the switch that divides the coupler. Except for the concerned formation, no metal fragments were found near the switch terminals, but metal fragments were found around the back of the switch in 10 formations of the E6 series, which were then removed. As a temporary measure, wiring was detached from the concerned switch, deactivating the circuit. As a permanent measure, the system will be revised so that the circuit that separates the coupler does not operate while the train is in motion.
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