摘要: |
On September 24, 2015, the 2005 DUCK 6 amphibious passenger vehicle (APV) was traveling north on the Washington State Route 99 Aurora Bridge in Seattle, Washington. At the same time, a 2009 Motor Coach Industries motorcoach was traveling south in the center lane. The DUCK 6 driver heard a loud noise at the left front of the APV; the vehicle drifted to the right and then veered left suddenly; the driver lost control of the vehicle. The APV crossed the center line into the southbound lanes and struck the motorcoach. Three other vehicles were damaged. As a result of this crash, five motorcoach passengers died. Seventy-one motorcoach and APV occupants reported injuries ranging from minor to serious. The report addresses the following safety issues: failure by an unregistered vehicle manufacturer to properly remedy a defective safety-related motor vehicle part under the federal recall process, lack of adequate oversight of APV maintenance and failure to conduct effective safety repairs as recommended in service bulletins, lack of adequate occupant protection in APVs used in commercial passenger tours, and risk management in APV operations. As a result of the investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board makes safety recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the US Coast Guard, Ride the Ducks International, Ride the Ducks of Seattle, and the Passenger Vessel Association. |