The National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that the driver of a Tesla Model 3 involved in a fatal Texas crash in 2021 pressed the accelerator pedal "100 percent" during the incident, overriding the vehicle's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The crash, which killed two people, occurred when the car reached speeds exceeding 70 mph before veering off a road and hitting a tree. Investigators found no evidence of braking or steering inputs from the driver in the moments leading up to the collision.
NTSB findings on accelerator override
The NTSB's final report, released this week, reveals that the Tesla's FSD system was engaged at the time of the crash, but the driver's sustained application of the accelerator pedal overrode the system's ability to control speed. The report states that the accelerator was pressed to its full travel range, and the driver's foot remained on the pedal for the entire duration of the event. This contradicts earlier speculation that the FSD system may have malfunctioned.
The investigation also found that the Tesla's Autopilot system was not active at the time of the crash, only the more advanced FSD feature. The NTSB noted that the vehicle's design allowed the driver to override FSD by pressing the accelerator, a feature intended for emergency maneuvers but which can be misused.
Context of Tesla's driver monitoring
The crash has reignited debate over Tesla's driver monitoring systems and the safety of its advanced driver-assistance features. Tesla has faced multiple investigations by the NTSB and NHTSA over accidents involving its vehicles. The company has argued that its systems require active driver supervision, but critics say the technology can lull drivers into a false sense of security.
The NTSB recommended that Tesla improve its driver monitoring to detect accelerator override and provide warnings when FSD is overridden for extended periods. The board also urged regulators to establish performance standards for such systems. Tesla did not immediately comment on the report.
Legal and regulatory implications
The findings could have implications for ongoing lawsuits against Tesla, including a case brought by the families of the victims. The crash, which occurred on April 17, 2021, in Spring, Texas, involved a 2019 Tesla Model 3 that failed to negotiate a curve and struck a tree, catching fire. Both occupants died in the accident.
The NTSB's report also highlighted that the driver had previously used FSD on the same road and that the vehicle's logs showed no indication of a system failure. The board concluded that the crash was caused by "the driver's excessive speed and failure to maintain control of the vehicle," with the accelerator override being a contributing factor.