Lug nuts too tight on Pa. transit bus that lost its wheels

CARNEGIE, Pa. (AP) — An investigation of a Pittsburgh-area transit bus that lost two rear wheels on Interstate 376 last month shows the lug nuts weren’t too loose — they were too tight.

Port Authority of Allegheny County spokesman Jim Ritchie says a mechanic over-tightened the nuts causing them to crack and fail on Jan. 26.

About 25 passengers were not hurt when its two left rear wheels fell off. The bus was heading into the city from Pittsburgh International Airport and lost the wheels just before noon as it was about to enter a busway near Carnegie.

The vehicle has two rear tires on each side, and the driver was able to maneuver it safely off the highway.

WTAE-TV reports the port authority is installing plastic devices on bus wheels to ensure the nuts aren’t too tight in the future.