7 people confirmed dead in Cortland County accident

As do I. I dropped a trailer years ago on the farm after hooking it, luckily I was still in the driveway and able to hook back up. Ever since then, I always get under the truck to look at the latch.

 

To speculate( thats all we can do for now) there is the chance of a failure of the kingpin on the trailer or a 5th wheel. failure but they are both somewhat remote. Condolences to all

 

Very sad story. We all need to remind ourselves daily just how dangerous this job can be. We have an awesome amount of responsibility placed on our shoulders.

I really hope that this wasn't due to driver error or driver tampering.

 

Ok, before everyone starts blaming poor PTI or something, we do have to consider mechanical failure. King pins break and so do locking jaws. My buddy lost two trailers because of this. Nobody was killed or hurt ( except his pride). Needless to say, here is a pic of one of the incidents.



Btw, before anyone asks, he was using a Teflon coated Holland fifth wheel on a M915 (modified Freightliner) he was driving in Iraq. Hence why there is no grease.

I too want to know what went wrong. No one intended this to happen. Folks, please let the investigators conclude their findings before we start crucifying the driver.

 

Back in 1985 I had a trailer come loose coming into Iron Dale Ala. It crossed the road and went into a service station taking out two cars. Setting there looking at all the freight scattered across the highway I thought I was in big trouble but it was the plate in the trailer that came out the front. Pin still in 5th wheel with the plate riding on top. I had made an inspection before I left Atlanta and all looked well but company said this was a first time a plate came loose so guys you never know what's next and thank God no one was hurt. I've got a picture and I will post it if I find it, it shows the tractor setting there with plate still hooked to tractor.

 

I agree, any defect here is major . considering how his tug test went.
A friend / co worker had his trailer come off. He hit the terminal late at night. Dropped one and hooked another. Never checked the jaw or tug tested. Got one mile out before the disconnect. Luckily, it didn't involve others.

 

How many "incidents" is too many for a CDL driver?? In the last 2 years he has had 3 accidents, 2 in a CMV 1 in his personal car. I hope and pray it was mechanical failure.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index...._crash_victims.html#incart_hbx#incart_best-of

 

i am sick to my stomach knowing this involves family of members of this forum.....its tragic either way, but hits too close to home. words can not express how deeply sorry i am for your loss.....i am too choked up to type anymore....

 

that had to be so freaking scary..I check mine all the time,but you can't prevent or even catch things like that.

 

I tend to differ. Fifth wheels and king pins don't go from good condition to bad condition in a blink of an eye. Fractures and cracks develop before total failure. Rods bend usually from someone that backed under a high trailer and got hung. Fifth wheels and king pins get ignored and overlooked. Having a hard time releasing a trailer? Ah, it's just old. Nope it needs repairs. Though things can break humans can find it before it has total failure.

Manufacturers of these critical components probably do hardness test, xrays and other kinds of quality control. Defects thrown out there are slim to none. Problems develop from abuse and neglect.

I tend to believe all that before I believe an "Oops".

Watch the truckers leave a truck stop one morning and see how many actually do a real pti. You might see a few check fluids and tires but none check for structural damage.