# 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
> **FATAL** · NHTSA complaint `120937` · 1998-10-20 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 1
- **Injured:** 3
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** THUNDERBIRD
- **Year:** 1987
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- **Speed:** 45 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL SHORTED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FALL OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A BARN, INJURING THREE PASSENGERS AND KILLING ONE COW.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*