NTSB cites need for tire pressure monitors

After investigating a fatal motorcoach crash in which a steer-axle tire failed, the safety agency recommends that NHTSA require all new motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds — which would include large school buses — to be equipped with the monitoring systems.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

November 6, 2009

1 min to read

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After investigating a fatal motorcoach crash in which a tire failed, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that all new motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds — which would include large school buses — be required to have tire pressure monitoring systems.

Such systems inform drivers of the actual tire pressures on their vehicles.

The recommendation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was one of several in response to the 2008 motorcoach accident in Sherman, Texas, that killed 17 people and injured 39.

In that accident, the right steer axle tire failed as the motorcoach approached a bridge at about 68 mph. The vehicle then went through the railing and off the bridge, falling about 8 feet and sliding about 24 feet on its side before coming to rest.

NTSB determined that the probable cause of the crash was the failure of the tire, due to an extended period of low-pressure operation, which resulted in sidewall, belting and body-ply separation within the tire, leading to loss of vehicle control.

To view a synopsis of the NTSB’s report on the crash and its recommendations to NHTSA and other organizations, click here.

Topics:motorcoach/charter buses NTSB tires Maintenance Safety

More Safety

A female school bus driver in bus driver's seat speaking on radio with an inset of female with headphones looking at two monitors and buses in the background

When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving

From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.

Firefighters spray water on a smoking Marietta City Schools school bus during a fire response drill.

Safety•by Amanda Huggett•September 8, 2026

What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help

School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.

Graphic promoting Geotab’s new fleet investigation tool, featuring a screenshot of the MyGeotab platform showing an incident timeline, vehicle activity, and mapped route data.

Safety•by News/Media Release•September 1, 2026

Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents

Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.

From Our Partners

When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving

Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest

Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.

Cover of a Pro-Vision whitepaper titled “Doing More With Less: A Transportation Director’s Guide to Managing Safety Budget Uncertainty,” featuring school buses, a school transportation scene, and safety technology imagery.

Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty

With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.