Investigations
Wheelchair restraint failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE12015 - closed, opened 2012-06-14.
NHTSA investigation PE12015 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2012-06-14 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2013-01-09 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE12015 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "This investigation was opened based upon allegations made by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) regarding the operation of a subject lift installed on one of its MCI motorcoaches. On March 6, 2012, an occupied p..." 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
This investigation was opened based upon allegations made by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) regarding the operation of a subject lift installed on one of its MCI motorcoaches. On March 6, 2012, an occupied powered wheelchair rolled off an elevated subject lift, injuring the occupant. While looking into this incident, ODI found that NYCTA personnel had failed to utilize the original equipment wheel chair restraint (an interlocked safety belt in this case). Normally, failing to use the belt would mean the lift could not be raised. This is because, to comply with FMVSS 403, S6.4.7.1 and S7.7.2.2, the lift manufacturer's (Ricon) wheel chair retention device incorporates an interlocked belt. With the required interlock, if the belt is not latched, the lift will not operate. However, NYCT failed to use the belt and intentionally disabled the interlock. ODI is unaware of any other incidents of wheelchair roll-away involving the subject lifts. Given these facts, a defect trend related to the subject lifts wheel chair retention system has not been identified and this PE is closed.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
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.