The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report on the March 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge concludes that the disaster was triggered by a small but critical electrical installation error aboard the containership Dali. Investigators determined that an improperly installed wire-label band caused a loose signal wire on a terminal block, leading to a total loss of electrical power, propulsion, and steering as the 984-foot vessel neared the bridge and ultimately struck Pier 17. The impact killed six highway workers, caused more than $18 million in damage to the ship, and left taxpayers facing an estimated $4.3–$5.2 billion bridge replacement that is not expected to open until late 2030. The NTSB also cited the lack of bridge vulnerability countermeasures and ineffective, delayed communication to road workers as contributing factors. In response, the agency issued sweeping recommendations for federal and state agencies, including enhanced bridge risk assessments, consideration of redundant propulsion systems for large cargo ships, and improved voyage data recorder standards. It also called on vessel operator Synergy Marine to adopt infrared thermal imaging and ensure emergency systems are configured to prevent automatic shutdowns during critical maneuvers, underscoring how minor mechanical faults can cascade into catastrophic failures when infrastructure protections and emergency protocols fall short.