U.S. ‘unhappy’ with Tesla data release

Federal investigators said Sunday they were “unhappy” that Tesla had released information related to a fatal crash involving one of its Model X vehicles late last month.

Tesla announced late Friday that the Tesla Model X had its semiautonomous “Autopilot” mode activated moments before it slammed into a highway barrier on U.S. 101 in California on March 23, killing driver Walter Huang, 38.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, expressed concerns with Tesla’s preliminary explanation for the crash, pointing to the ongoing investigation.

“At this time the NTSB needs the assistance of Tesla to decode the data the vehicle recorded. In each of our investigations involving a Tesla vehicle, Tesla has been extremely cooperative on assisting with the vehicle data. However, the NTSB is unhappy with the release of investigative information by Tesla,” spokesman Chris O’Neil said Sunday.

The investigation was focused on the damaged collision barrier and the post-crash fire that complicated the response, according to the agency. But in the wake of revelations that Huang had previously complained about the Autopilot feature on his SUV, the agency said it was investigating “all aspects of this crash including the driver’s previous concerns about the autopilot.”