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Automotive Crashworthiness-Fuel Tank
Firm Obtains Recovery For Severely Burned Girl

A passenger in a Ford Mustang was traveling to church with her boyfriend when the car hit standing water on the road. The Mustang hydroplaned across the centerline of the road and was struck on the right rear by a southbound camper. The Mustang's fuel tank instantly split open releasing gasoline. The female passenger lost most of her face from burns.

Defects in Mustang fuel tanks have been the subject of numerous lawsuits since the car was first introduced years ago. The weld specifications and pressure requirements for the Mustang steel tank were inadequate allowing the seam weld on the tank to pop open releasing gasoline and gasoline vapor even though the tank itself was never directly struck by anything.