WASHINGTON (May 30, 2001)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the alleged failure of tire pressure control system hoses made by Tire Pressure Control International Ltd.
The Florida State Police reported to NHTSA an accident in which an air supply hose to one of the tandem dual rear wheels on a tractor-trailer was damaged by contact with the wheel rim.
The hose failed, the driver lost control of the rig while driving at 55-60 mph, and the truck went off the road and crashed, killing the driver.
The hose was part of a Redline-Eltek Tire Pressure Control System made by TPC, and NHTSA estimates about 1,000 tractor-trailers, model years 1997-2001, are outfitted with the system.