The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday that it is “gathering data” on a Tesla Model S crash that resulted in a vehicle fire earlier this month.
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland confirmed to The Detroit News that the agency is looking into the matter, but added there are no formal plans to launch a full-blown investigation at this time.
Because of the recent government shutdown, the NHTSA wasn't able to send investigators to the crash scene. However, the agency is now reviewing the crash information and has been in contact with Tesla Motors.
As recounted by Tesla CEO Elon Musk on the company's official blog, the October 4th vehicle fire happened after the Model S “traveling at highway speed struck a large metal object, causing significant damage to the vehicle. A curved section that fell off a semi-trailer was recovered from the roadway near where the accident occurred and, according to the road crew that was on the scene, appears to be the culprit. The geometry of the object caused a powerful lever action as it went under the car, punching upward and impaling the Model S with a peak force on the order of 25 tons. Only a force of this magnitude would be strong enough to punch a three-inch diameter hole through the quarter-inch armor plate protecting the base of the vehicle.”
Musk also noted that the fire was limited to the front of the vehicle and didn't burn the passenger compartment.
No other Tesla Model S fires have been reported since the vehicle went on sale in 2012.
Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/nhtsa-gathering-data-on-tesla-fire.html#ixzz2iUax3nnV
Read more at http://www.leftlanenews.com/nhtsa-gathering-data-on-tesla-fire.html#38bXeiOwA772D7lM.99
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