National Transportation Safety Board

Motorcoach Fire on Interstate 45 During Hurricane Rita Evacuation Near Wilmer, Texas, September 23, 2005: Highway Accident Report Ntsb / Har-07/01 National Transportation Safety Board

On September 23, 2005, a 1998 Motor Coach Industries, Inc. (MCI), 54-passenger motorcoach, operated by Global Limo Inc., of Pharr, Texas, was traveling northbound on Interstate 45 (I-45) near Wilmer, Texas. The motorcoach, en route from Bellaire to Dallas, Texas, as part of the evacuation in anticipation of Hurricane Rita, was carrying 44 assisted living facility residents and nursing staff. A motorist noticed that the right-rear tire hub was glowing red and alerted the motorcoach driver, who stopped in the left traffic lane and then proceeded to the right shoulder of I-45 near milepost 269.5. The driver and nursing staff exited the motorcoach and observed flames emanating from the right-rear wheel well. As they initiated an evacuation of the motorcoach, with assistance from passersby, heavy smoke and fire quickly engulfed the entire vehicle. Twenty-three passengers were fatally injured. Of the 21 passengers who escaped, 2 were seriously injured and 19 received minor injuries; the motorcoach driver also received minor injuries. Major safety issues identified in this investigation include vehicle fire reporting and inconsistent data within Federal accident databases, the ineffective compliance review program of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), emergency egress from motorcoaches, fire resistance of motorcoach materials and designs, manufacturer maintenance information on wheel bearing components, transportation of partially pressurized aluminum cylinders, and emergency transportation of persons with special needs. As a result of this accident investigation, the Safety Board makes recommendations to the FMCSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of State EMS Officials, the National Sheriffs? Association, the National Volunteer Fire Council, MCI and other motorcoach manufacturers, the United Motorcoach Association, and the American Bus Association. The Safety Board reiterates two recommendations to the U. S. Department of Transportation.