WASHINGTON — Local school officials exercised poor driver oversight that most likely contributed to a deadly school bus fire in western Iowa, federal safety officials said Tuesday.

Riverside Community School District allowed Donald Hendricks, 74, to continue driving despite physical limitations that made it difficult for him to take appropriate actions in an emergency situation, according to the National Transportation Safety Board report on the crash.

Hendricks got stuck in a ditch on Dec. 12, 2017 outside Oakland, Iowa, in rural Pottawattamie County. A fire broke out and killed both him and the only passenger on board, 16-year-old student Megan Klindt.

“The report very well establishes that the school district failed in their responsibility, and unfortunately two people lost their lives and other lives have been shattered as a result of that failure,” NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said as the panel discussed the findings at a Tuesday session in Washington, D.C.

The NTSB findings lay out how the accident and the fire are most likely to have happened:

Hendricks lost control of the bus and became stuck in the ditch for reasons that cannot be determined.
Hendricks gunned the engine in an effort to escape the ditch. With the exhaust pipe blocked by the position of the bus in the ditch, the turbo charger overloaded and started a fire.
In the absence of a fire suppression system, superheated gases, flames and smoke spread quickly into the passenger compartment.
Hendricks suffered from various medical problems that included chronic back pain and weakness in his right leg that likely impaired his ability to evacuate the bus. The day of the fire was Hendricks’ last workday before he was to undergo back surgery two days later.
It’s possible that Hendricks could not evacuate and that Megan was attempting to assist him when she was overcome by smoke and superheated gases.
Among the factors not involved: bus mechanical problems, alcohol or drug impairment, driver fatigue or distraction, roadway design or weather conditions.
The emergency response by local firefighters and law enforcement was adequate and timely.

The board specifically cited the district’s failure to take Hendricks off the road as part of the “probable cause” portion of the report.

Megan’s parents, Glen and Natalie Klindt, attended Tuesday’s session in person and said afterward that they appreciated the board’s work.

Both choked up as they talked about the pain they feel coming across reminders of their happy-go-lucky daughter.

“It’s just like somebody just hauled off and hit you in the stomach,” Glen Klindt said. “It just about doubles you over, and you can’t get away from it.”

They described Megan as a friendly teenager who would help Hendricks with tasks such as cleaning the bus and closing the windows. Hendricks would reward her for those efforts with candy bars, they said.

They have sued the school district, claiming negligence and wrongful death.

Riverside Superintendent Timothy Mitchell declined to answer World-Herald questions regarding the NTSB findings or the pending litigation. Mitchell had no comment beyond a brief written statement:

“The Riverside School District appreciates the work of the National Transportation Board (NTSB) in this matter. The district has fully cooperated in the investigation. Our top priority is the safety of our students and staff.”

Board members also approved a series of recommendations in connection with the fatal crash that included:

Federal regulators should step up the requirements on school bus fire safety, including for fire suppression systems. Those requirements haven’t been updated in decades, they said.
States should require their school bus drivers to pass a physical performance test upon hiring, at least once a year and at other times when circumstances warrant.
Iowa should inform its school districts about the facts of the Oakland crash and lessons learned.

Sumwalt noted other school bus crashes in which the board has faulted school officials.

“We’ve got to send the message that, by God, if you’re a school district you have a responsibility to make sure that you’re providing the oversight that those kids deserve,” Sumwalt said.