Investigations
CROSS BAR PRESSES NECK
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA87015 - closed, opened 1987-03-31.
NHTSA investigation EA87015 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1987-03-31 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1987-09-11 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA87015 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "SUMMARY: ON 3/23/87, MR. GREG BERRY, AN EMPLOYEE OF SONOMA COUNTY,CALIFORNIA, CALLED ODI TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFANTFATALITY. THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF DEATH, ACCORDING TO MR. BERRY, APPEARS TOBE NECK CO..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY: ON 3/23/87, MR. GREG BERRY, AN EMPLOYEE OF SONOMA COUNTY,CALIFORNIA, CALLED ODI TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFANTFATALITY. THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF DEATH, ACCORDING TO MR. BERRY, APPEARS TOBE NECK COMPRESSION CAUSED BY A CROSS BAR USED ON A FIRST RIDE INFANTSEAT MANUFACTURED BY COSCO.ANALYSIS: ODI INSPECTED A FIRST RIDE INFANT SEAT SUPPLIED BY COSCO.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS IT APPEARS THAT THE PLASTIC CROSS BAR USEDTO KEEP THE STRAPS POSITIONED COULD CONTACT THE NECK AND CAUSE INJURY.STATUS: COSCO RESPONDED TO THE ODI INFORMATION REQUEST OF 4/3/87 BYLETTER DATED 4/15/87. NO OTHER REPORTS, EA CLOSED ON 9/9/87.===
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.