National Transportation Safety Board releases preliminary report of duck boat tragedy

More than two weeks after a duck boat sank at Table Rock Lake in Branson, killing 17 people, the National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report of its investigation.

NTSB issues preliminary report on the July 19, Duck Boat accident near Branson, MO: https://t.co/wbdqU1dweC

— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) August 7, 2018

The report said the amphibious passenger vessel, Stretch Duck Boat 7, owned and operated by Ride the Ducks, sank in Table Rock Lake on July 19 at about 7:05 p.m.

At the time of the incident, local forecasts included thunderstorm warnings and winds of more than 70 mph.

The Stretch Duck Boat 7 was carrying 31 people: 29 passengers and two crew members.

The boat sank in about 15 feet of water and came to rest at the bottom of the lake, which is about 70 feet deep.

Investigators with NTSB interviewed 33 people, including witnesses, vessel operators, inspectors and company officials.

NTSB officials said they will continue to investigate and interview people. They will also participate in the investigation conducted by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation.