Tesla Crash: Autopilot Likely Off With Driver Behind Wheel

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The driver was behind the wheel and the Autopilot function was not engaged when a Tesla Model S crashed on April 17, the National Transportation Safety Board found in its preliminary report released Monday.

The crash and resulting fire, which occurred on Hammock Dunes Place in The Woodlands, killed both people in the vehicle. Original reports indicated no one was in the driver's seat, but footage from the owner's residence shows him getting into the driver's seat, according to the NTSB report.

The report further stated that the car went about 550 feet down the street before failing to navigate a curve, hitting a raised manhole and running into a tree.

The NTSB recovered the restraint control module, which records data about speed, acceleration, belt status and airbag deployment, but it sustained fire damage and was taken to NTSB recorder laboratory for evaluation.

Tesla's Autopilot requires both the vehicle's Traffic Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer functions to be enabled in order to be used. NTSB tests at the crash location indicated that while the Traffic Aware Cruise Control could be engaged, the Autosteer function was not available on that part of the road, according to the report.

The NTSB emphasized that its report was preliminary and could change as it continues to investigate alongside the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.