Fatal Accident: NTSB Investigates Autopilot Allegation After Tesla Crash Into Home

In the US, a Tesla has crashed into a residential home and entered a living room, killing a woman. The incident has caused a stir because it is unclear whether the vehicle was operating with an assistance system at the time of the accident. Meanwhile, the NTSB, an independent US federal agency for transportation accidents, has launched its own investigation and is examining claims that Autopilot may have been involved in the accident. In parallel, the NHTSA, the actual US traffic safety authority, has also opened its own investigation. Based on experience, the results of such an investigation typically only become available after several months. This is not the first case for Tesla in which driver assistance systems have come under scrutiny following a serious accident. The outcome of the review is likely to further fuel the discussion about the safety and regulation of partially autonomous systems in the US.