Overview
- Investigators found the carbon‑fiber pressure hull had multiple anomalies and delaminations that culminated in a local buckling failure and implosion.
- The report traces accumulating damage after the 80th and 82nd dives, with the vessel failing on its 88th descent in June 2023.
- OceanGate did not adequately test Titan, misinterpreted real‑time monitoring data, and kept operating a damaged craft.
- Voluntary guidance for small passenger submersibles was deemed insufficient, and the NTSB urged a Coast Guard–led expert study followed by regulations and industry outreach.
- The board said standard emergency‑response steps were not followed, which likely delayed locating the wreckage even though a rescue was not possible.