NTSB Highway Accident Report Sherman Tx

Zeroclearance · April 02, 2010, 08:18:12 PM

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2009/HAR0902.pdf

Interesting read. I think that every bus owner has something to gain by reading these reports.

Unfortunately it was a "run" of events that proved "fatal"

The accident occured from a retreaded Goodyear that was driven in at low air pressure. However, the retread did NOT contribute to the accident and stayed intact.

Overall it's nice to see the details and all the different angle that are covered.

Tire pressure monitors would have prevented this accident..

belfert · April 02, 2010, 09:14:56 PM

I find it interesting that regular passenger vehicles require TPMS by law, but no such law exists for buses and large trucks.

MCI is now installing TPMS on all of their new buses. These reports about tire issues are pushing me towards installing one on my bus.

I really need to proofread my postings better before I hit the Save button. I fixed a word that was not at all the word I had intended to use.

Len Silva · April 03, 2010, 07:01:38 AM

Interesting review. While I didn't study it in detail, there is evidence that the driver braked hard after the tire failure, yet that is never mentioned as a contributing factor in the accident. It seems to me (not a trained commercial driver) that that was the most significant contributing factor.

Zeroclearance · April 03, 2010, 02:47:53 PM

Len, when you have a chance read the conclusions.. The NTSB mocked up the scene and tried various "drivers" (they had to be Pro drivers). They could not change the outcome>> The drivers reactions and performance at the moment of tire failure to impact was not at fault. The front right steer tire jumped up on the curb and "launched" up onto the guard rail and then over the rail.

robertglines1 · April 03, 2010, 03:18:11 PM

To sum up my opinion :the company had serious problems and was fly by nite at best..scary that we meet the like on the road; the sad part is the people that lost their lives shouldn't been with that carrier in the first place....how would they know the company's past? I have blown a right front tire at 70 mph and drove to side with no problem..Last march in Macon Ga..sure tightens your.....up.Very sad outcome for them...

Len Silva · April 03, 2010, 04:27:43 PM

I can't find that section. What calls out to me is that the driver made a 90 psi brake application 123 feet before contact with the bridge. I find it hard to believe that had no affect on the outcome.

BTW, I am in the habit of carefully taking my hands off the wheel when traveling a straight, low traffic section of road to watch for any drift.

DMoedave · April 03, 2010, 07:30:15 PM

Very interesting reading. Very sad tho. They basicly say there was not really anything the driver could have done, and he reacted quickly even tho he had taken cocaine while on duty. While reading this i was thinking of this being a lawyers dream come true, recent purchase of coach, just out of MCI rehab,just passed its annual inspection from independent inspection co.,Company hiring driver without proper background check, driver on drugs and alcohol, but did you see they had no valid opperating cert. and NO INSURANCE! It is really sad and i wonder how the retread ended up front. And the retread was not the fault it had a slow leak from a puncture.

kyle4501 · April 03, 2010, 08:10:47 PM

Well, I've had right front blowouts before at speed on the innerstate in heavy traffic. I didn't slam on the brakes & it was a non event - just pull off the road & change the tire.

No warning, just BANG & the vehicle immediately pulled towards the blown tire.

I could tell the vehicle was very loose & didn't want to follow the normal input from the steering wheel, so I made gradual changes in order to maintain what little influence I had over the direction of travel. This included NOT jerking the steering wheel & being carefull to gently ease on the brakes.

I find it hard to believe that a full application of the service brakes didn't contribute to leaving the road.

The fact that there were so many other things wrong shows the owners contempt for proper procedures. . . .

johns4104s · April 04, 2010, 03:48:39 AM

I had a passenger front tyre blow on my 4104, I was in the passing lane at 70 mph, The bus passenger side dropped, the bus wandered a little. I did not touch the brake, it felt a little like being on ice the coach drifted over to the right a little, started slowing down. When I felt like I had steering control i slowly applied the brake. during this time all the vehicles around me got out of the way and I coasted over to the shoulder.

John

TexasBorderDude · April 04, 2010, 06:27:35 AM

Quote from: johns4104s on April 04, 2010, 03:48:39 AM
I had a passenger front tyre blow on my 4104, I was in the passing lane at 70 mph, The bus passenger side dropped, the bus wandered a little. I did not touch the brake, it felt a little like being on ice the coach drifted over to the right a little, started slowing down. When I felt like I had steering control i slowly applied the brake. during this time all the vehicles around me got out of the way and I coasted over to the shoulder.

John

Wow! John you are my hero! Did those 8 wine spritzers help?

dg