HIGHWAY ACCIDENT REPORT, FRANCISCO FLORES TRUCK/PICKUP TRUCK WITH CAMPER AND TRAILER COLLISION, U.S. ROUTE 395, BISHOP, CALIFORNIA, JUNE 29, 1974

The report describes and analyzes an accident involving a tractor-semitrailer, loaded with lumber, that experienced loss of braking capability while descending Sherwin Pass, a steep, long grade located along U.S. Route 395. The unit suddenly began to accelerate at a point 5 to 5-1/2 miles from a truck parking area where the driver had stopped to adjust his brakes. It managed to remain on the roadway for an additional 2 to 2-1/2 miles, but, as it was attempting to negotiate a curve, the trailer separated from the tractor and overturned in front of a pickup/camper/trailer traveling in the opposite direction. All seven occupants of the pickup, which burst into flames at impact, died in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the loss of braking which permitted the tractor-semitrailer to run away. The loss of braking effectiveness was caused by the improper adjustment of the brakes by the driver, the selection of too high a gear for descent, and a weight overload of the truck.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Transportation Safety Board

  Office of Surface Transportation Safety
  Washington, DC  United States  20594
• Publication Date: 1975-8-14

Media Info

• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Crash injury research; Crash investigation; Crashes; Failure; Fatalities; Fires; Impacts; Mechanical acceleration; Research; Traffic crashes; Trailers; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Motor vehicle accidents
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00093372
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NTSB-HAR-75-5
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Dec 16 1976 12:00AM