NTSB Gathers Information on Tesla Autopilot Crash with Fire Engine

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun gathering information on a crash involving a Tesla Model S sedan that hit a fire engine while on autopilot.

Bloomberg reports that the NTSB has begun gathering information on a crash involving a Tesla Model S sedan that rear-ended a fire engine in Los Angeles this week. NTSB spokesman Chris O’Neil said in a statement that the board has not opened an official investigation into the crash but has begun gathering information on what happened. The board only investigates a small number of crashes each year, but it seems the autopilot element of the Model S sedan has grabbed the interest of the safety organization.

The driver of the car said that he had the autopilot system engaged when he hit the fire engine traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour. The fire engine was reportedly on the shoulder of the road while assisting at the scene of another accident. The Culver City Firefighters Twitter account tweeted out photos of the crash, stating “Amazingly there were no injuries.”

While working a freeway accident this morning, Engine 42 was struck by a #Tesla traveling at 65 mph. The driver reports the vehicle was on autopilot. Amazingly there were no injuries! Please stay alert while driving! #abc7eyewitness #ktla #CulverCity #distracteddriving pic.twitter.com/RgEmd43tNe

— Culver City Firefighters (@CC_Firefighters) January 22, 2018

Tesla released a statement on the crash saying that the autopilot feature is only “intended for use only with a fully attentive driver.” Tesla stated that they have attempted to educate drivers that their “advanced driver assistance system” is not intended to drive the car without driver intervention. Previously, the NTSB linked Tesla’s autopilot function to a fatal crash in Florida in 2016 where a Model S driver died when his car slid underneath a semi-trailer. At the time, the NTSB criticised Tesla amongst other car makers for measuring driver awareness by tracking steering wheel movement.

More carmakers are introducing similar “autopilot” systems to their cars. Last year General Motors began installing a “Super Cruise” system that allows drivers to go hands-free on highways in their Cadillac lineup. The Super Cruise system uses a small dash-mounted camera to track a drivers head and ensure that they are paying attention to the road.