A fluid relief device (40) is responsive to a sensor (38) for relieving
the hydraulic fluid pressure in hydraulic line (30) in response to the
crash conditions. A fuseable link (52) abuts the distal end of a shaft
(46) and holds the piston (42) in the normal operating position until a
crash where the fuseable link (52) is consumed or removed to allow
movement of the shaft (46) and the piston (42) to the accumulator
position to relieve pressure in the hydraulic system. A resilient curved
leaf spring member (60) reacts between the cross beam (16) and the pedal
arm (20) in the event of rearward movement of the pedal arm (20) out of
the normal operating range due to a crash to limit movement of the pedal
arm (20) toward the operator space. The resilient spring (60) and the
fluid relief device (40) are reusable.