United States 97V002000
Daimler Commercial Buses NA
The problem
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE THEIR WHEELCHAIR BARRIERS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, AT MORE THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE WHEELCHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THERE IS A POSSIBLY THAT THE BOLT THREADS TAPPED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WOULD STRIP ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER.
Risk
FAILURE OF THE HARDWARE ATTACHMENT WOULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURIES, OR DEATH OF THE DISABLED PERSON OR OTHER PASSENGERS.
What owners should do
THE EXISTING WHEELCHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW BOLTS, WASHERS AND NUTS.
Units 578