Interpretation ID: nht89-3.44

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 11/24/89

FROM: JAMES A. COWAN, -- DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING CROWN COACH INC

TO: ERIKA JONES -- CHIEF COUNSEL U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

TITLE: FMVSS 217 BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 01/09/90 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO JAMES A. COWAN -- CROWN COACH INC; REDBOOK A35; STANDARD 217; LETTER DATED 11/29/88 FROM JAMES A. COWAN -- CROWN COACH INC; RE FMVSS 217, BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE

TEXT: Dear Ms. Jones:

Twelve months ago, the attached letter was sent to your office requesting guidance. On March 31, 1989, we received a telephone call from Joan Tillgham of NHTSA wanting to know if we still needed the information; the answer was affirmative.

We have subsequently dropped our plans to widen the emergency door on our buses due to the lack of response from NHTSA and reverted to the design originally developed in 1977. (The new bus has recently been tested for and passed all requirements of F MVSS 217).

However, we now plan to sell the pilot bus with the door referenced in our November 29, 1988 letter. Could you please give us a response? As a last resort, we will simply remove the passenger seat at the wider door and install a restraining barrier.

Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,

ATTACHMENT