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Texas Motorcoach Fire on Interstate 45

Texas: A 1998 Motor Coach Industries 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, was carrying 44 assisted living facility residents and nursing staff. The trip had begun about 3:00 p.m. Fifteen hours later, about 6:00 a.m. on the following day, 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. 

The following safety issues were identified in this investigation:

• Vehicle fire reporting and inconsistent data within Federal accident databases.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ineffective compliance review program.
• Emergency egress from motorcoaches.
• Fire resistance of motorcoach materials and designs.
• Manufacturer maintenance information on wheel bearing components.
• Transportation of partially pressurized aluminum cylinders.
• Emergency transportation of persons with special needs.
  

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