2016 Pierce Arrow XT

This Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened August 21, 2018 based on 5 consumer complaints for unintended aerial platform movement on the subject vehicles. ODI complaint numbers 11101301, 11101303, 11101304, 11101305 and 11105134 allege there is a defect with the aerial ladder control mechanism that resulted unintended movement.ODI conducted several field inspections, meeting with local fire houses and municipalities to better understand and witness the alleged defect. In addition, ODI met with Pierce and the Fleet Operations Manager of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service?s Central Fleet to discuss the known complaints, possible attributing factors and vehicles to be tested/instrumented.On November 30, 2018 Pierce met with ODI staff at DOT headquarters and agreed that a safety defect existed on their vehicle aerial devices. The subject vehicles may unintentionally rotate right when a command to extend the aerial ladder is given. This unintentional movement is the result of faulty Random Access Memory (RAM) chip configuration on the aerial ladder controller. If the aerial device is operated in this manner it may contract an obstruction, potentially causing property damage or injury. In addition, it may hinder the ability to perform emergency functions as intended. The effected population includes 886 2004?2018 model year Pierce Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed with Safety Recall 19V-022.

The center portion of the tire tread is separating from the tire bed. The tire was mounted on a 2016 Pierce aerial fire truck in the left rear inner position .The discrepancy was found on a pre trip inspection for a test drive. We have consulted with a tire consultant ( Tennent, Winkelman and Associates) and believe that the rubber components are not fully cured. The rubber of the tread bed is of a soft and semi sticky constancy when physically touched. There where no warning lights as to the discrepancy, tire pressure at time of discovery was 110 psi. This was the only tire on this piece of equipment to have any discrepancy. Tire model M870 size 315/80R22.5 load range L. The tire is available for inspection by appointment.

NHTSA ID

11566415

Incident

Dec 5, 2023

While working at the scene of a residential structure fire, the Pierce aerial ladder was extended with three firefighters on the platform conducting ventilation operations. During the operation fire conditions rapidly changed engulfing the platform in fire. A crew member on the platform engaged the control pulling it down to raise the aerial device and the aerial slammed into roof of the residential structure, the aerial device lowering instead of raising. This increased the intensity of the fire and created warning alarms to go off on the CommandZone screen including collision avoidance and temperature warning. A firefighter on the turntable seeing what was happening raised the aerial device utilizing the controls on the turntable. Fearing for their lives, one firefighter jumped off the platform to an adjoining roof and the other two firefighter descended down the aerial ladder. Two firefighters received 1st degree burns and one firefighter received 2nd degree burns to his scalp. The platform of the aerial device sustained significant heat damage as depicted in the attached photos. This vehicle was part of NHSTA recall 19V-022, Pierce’s recall number is 74B295. Pierce states the recall was completed on this vehicle on April 4, 2019. At this time we are waiting on Pierce Manufacturing to provide further direction on repairs.

NHTSA ID

11481128

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

WHILE OPERATING ON AN INCIDENT , PAT708 WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXTENDING WHEN THE LADDER SWUNG TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT ANY ROTATION CONTROL BEING USED. THE UNEXPECTED ROTATION WAS APPROX. 10' TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ONE ADDITIONAL TIME ON THE SAME INCIDENT WITH THE SAME VARIABLES IN PLACE. THIS UNIT WAS OOS LAST WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO OBVIOUS SOLUTION. PIERCE DEALER TOOK UNIT BACK; AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT. THEY INSTALLED A DATA RECORDER; DATA COLLECTED SHOWED A BAD CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. UNIT RETURNED TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND WAS PLACED BACK IN SERVICE AT STATION 8.

NHTSA ID

11101305

Incident

Dec 30, 2017

Mileage

8,850 mi

DURING A DRIVERS TRAINING TEST THE AERIAL WAS BEING EXTENDED IN SLOW MODE, WITH OUT WARNING THE AERIAL SWUNG 30 FEET TO THE RIGHT AT FAST RATE OF SPEED. DURING THE EVENT NO CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE RIGHT/LEFT ROTATION CONTROL. THE AERIAL WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AS A SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING AT CMF, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND UNIT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11101304

Incident

Dec 22, 2017

Mileage

8,700 mi

UNIT WAS BEING USED BY THE "AERIAL APPARATUS OPERATOR CLASS" AT THE ACADEMY. INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE LADDER WAS BEING OPERATED FROM THE BUCKET WHILE SLIGHTLY EXTENDED AND AT APPROXIMATELY A 35 DEGREE ANGLE. INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE LADDER WAS BEING ROTATED TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN THE ROTATION CONTROL WAS RELEASED, THE LADDER CONTINUED TO ROTATE RIGHT ABOUT 20-30 FEET AFTER THE CONTROL WAS RELEASED. INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT THE ROTATION SEEMED TO BUMP UP TO FULL SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT AT THE TIME THE LADDER STOPPED MOVING BY ITSELF, HE WAS JIGGLING THE ROTATION CONTROL TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK, BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN THAT THIS IS WHAT BROUGHT THE LADDER TO A STOP. INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO RECREATE THIS BUT WAS UNABLE TO. TRUCK HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE ROTATION CONTROL WAS THE ONLY CONTROL BEING OPERATED AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11101303

Incident

Mar 15, 2018

Mileage

9,700 mi

VEHICLE PARKED, JACKING SYSTEM DOWN AS REQUIRED FOR AERIAL OPERATION, AERIAL BEING OPERATED FROM THE PLATFORM BUCKET, MADE AN UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT TO THE RIGHT AFTER BEING ROTATED LEFT, THEN BEING EXTENDED. AERIAL MADE AN ABRUPT ROTATION TO THE RIGHT UNCONTROLLED AND STRUCK A FLAGPOLE. ## VIN PASSED ## PIERCE ARROW XT 2016 100' AERIAL PLATFORM ##

NHTSA ID

11101301

Incident

Jun 11, 2018

Mileage

11,500 mi

BOLTS SECURING SWAY BAR TO SUSPENSION COMING LOOSE AGAIN (SECOND TIME). REPLACED HARDWARE AND TORQUED. DEALER PERFORMED FIRST REPAIR. WE HAVE HARDWARE HERE FROM FIRST REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11004746

Incident

Jul 12, 2017

Mileage

4,117 mi

BOLTS THAT HOLD SWAY BAR TO SUSPENSION HAVE COME LOOSE FOR THE SECOND TIME. DEALER CAME ON SITE THE FIRST TIME AND REPLACED THE HARDWARE. WE HAVE THE BOLTS FROM THE FIRST REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11004742

Incident

Jul 12, 2017

Mileage

3,244 mi

Husky XP pressure transducer troubleshooting procedure for transducer-related performance concerns.

To notify dealers and customers that the engine oil specification listed on certain Federal (FED) Tags for units equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines may be incorrect, and to ensure proper maintenance practices are followed.

The TAK-4 design was updated and older styles of TAK-4 can be upgraded. These updates to the torsion bar and torsion bar mounting are recommended but not required.

This bulletin provides dealer guidance for MCC filter assemblies when the moisture indicator sight glass appears to show a “wet” condition before installation, after installation, or on replacement filter assemblies.

Pierce has created a new style bracket that is more tolerant of stress and vibrations created from driving. This new design will allow for a longer in-service life over the old and reduce maintenance of the condenser and condenser components.

This bulletin covers the proper procedure for the replacement/installation of grip tape on hose bed grating.