Broken bolt causes rear axle to fall off school bus
The bus was stopped in front of a high school in Tennessee when both of the back wheels and axle broke away, but no students were hurt. The bolt that connects the vehicle springs was broken, authorities say.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. — A single bolt caused a rear axle to fall off a school bus as it was driving away from a school last week, WBIR reports.
Sharon Anglim the director of communications and special projects for Maryville City Schools, told WATE that the bus left the pickup line on the afternoon of Dec. 2, and stopped in front of Maryville High School when both of the back wheels and axle broke away from the bus. She added that no students were hurt.
Authorities said that the “ti bolt” that connects the vehicle springs was broken, according to WBIR. Sgt. Randall Martin with the Tennessee Highway Patrol told 10News that the bolt breaking started a chain reaction that led to the axle falling off the bus.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol inspects school buses at least once a year, and state law requires the buses to be inspected twice a year. The bus was inspected in April and October, and had passed both inspections, according to WBIR. Martin also told the news source that although inspectors review pieces of the bus to ensure they are intact, they do not take components apart, and that the broken bolt could not be seen during a routine inspection.
Brad Long, the owner of the bus, told WBIR that the whole rear end of the bus would have to be taken off to see the bolt. Martin added that to prevent this from happening again, a good maintenance program with mechanics who check for potential problems that troopers can’t is needed. Long also said that he is having several other buses inspected to check for similar problems, according to the news source.
More Maintenance
Cummins on Smarter, Simpler Engine Innovation
Cummins discusses its first-ever gasoline engine for school buses, EPA 2027, and why bus fleets still want durable, simpler internal combustion options.
Read More →
Report: 72% of Diesel School Buses Now Use Advanced Low-Emission Engines
New data shows advanced low-emission diesel technology continues expanding across school bus fleets, even as electric bus adoption gains momentum.
Read More →
Vampire Tools' CAIMAN 7.5-Inch Multi-Purpose Screw Extractor Long-Nose Pliers with Crimper
Vampire Tools introduced the VAMPLIERS Caiman 7.5-inch multi-purpose pliers, combining screw extraction, cutting, crimping, and gripping functions into a single tool designed for fleet maintenance professionals.
Read More →How Advanced Diagnostics Helps Bus Fleets Stay Ahead of Repairs
Chat with Noregon’s Kevin Smallhorn at ACT Expo about bus diagnostic tools, telematics integration, CNG maintenance support, and strategies to help reduce downtime and improve uptime.
Read More →
How School Bus Fleets are Getting Ahead of Breakdowns
Don’t let bus downtime wear you down. Here’s how bus operators are shifting from manual processes to AI-powered, data-driven maintenance systems for improved reliability and safety.
Read More →
Pennsylvania School Bus Maintenance Team Praised for Dedication to Safety
Matthews Bus Company’s West Jefferson received a letter of commendation from the Pennsylvania State Police for their fleet inspections.
Read More →
From Chaos to Clarity: How School Districts Are Running Leaner Transportation Operations
Covering 38 routes on a Friday afternoon. Buses idling while routes overlap. Parents calling nonstop about late arrivals. Sound familiar? This whitepaper explores how district transportation leaders solved these exact problems — and what measurable results followed.
Read More →
The New Playbook for Safer, Smarter School Bus Maintenance
As school districts juggle aging buses, technician shortages and rising safety expectations, proactive fleet maintenance is becoming essential. This guide explores how telematics, predictive maintenance and real-time vehicle data can help transportation departments reduce breakdowns, extend vehicle life, improve compliance and keep students safer on the road.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →2026 School Bus Maintenance Survey
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
