# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-020

**Citation:** P-76-020  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** National Transportation Safety Board  
**Effective:** 1976-06-14  
**Published:** 1976-06-14

REVIEW ALL PERTINENT DATA SUCH AS LEAK AND FAILURE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY LIQUID PIPELINE CARRIERS TO DETERMINE IF LONGITUDINAL WELD FAILURES CONSTITUTE A RECURRENT SAFETY PROBLEM, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE REGULATORY ACTION IF THEY DO.

## Document text

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-020.

REVIEW ALL PERTINENT DATA SUCH AS LEAK AND FAILURE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY LIQUID PIPELINE CARRIERS TO DETERMINE IF LONGITUDINAL WELD FAILURES CONSTITUTE A RECURRENT SAFETY PROBLEM, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE REGULATORY ACTION IF THEY DO.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1976-06-14

Adopted Date: 1976-05-21

Overall Date Closed: 1977-06-13

Synopsis: ON FEBRUARY 25, 1976, A MID-AMERICA PIPE LINE SYSTEM 8-INCH LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS PIPELINE RUPTURED NEAR WHITHARRAL, TEXAS. THE ESCAPING LPG VAPORIZED, FORMED A LOW-LYING CLOUD, AND IGNITED. THE OCCUPANTS OF TWO DWELLINGS IN THE AREA WERE BURNED SEVERELY, AND FIVE WERE KILLED.

Probable Cause: Investigation showed that the longitudinal seam of the 8 inch pipe had split. The 8 1/2-foot -long split was located on the side of the pipe at the 9:00 position. The pipe was manufactured by Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation in 1960.

Ntsbnumber: DCA76FP016

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-06-13

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1976-11-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR., FROM MTB: THE MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION BUREAU'S OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY OPERATIONS WILL MONITOR THE WELDED SEAM FAILURE PROBLEM FOR LIQUID PIPELINES AND WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE REGULATORY ACTION FOR THE PROBLEMS AS IDENTIFIED.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-76-020>
- Source ID: `ntsb-pipeline`
- SHA-256: `b6936a842af5e6429ba30eeeb3f0f2b07a249b30abb36ab36ce669c6f0505ff8`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:57:24.741Z
- Exported: 2026-08-24T16:54:25.797Z
- Document slug: `ntsb-recommendation-p-76-020`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "recordKind": "ntsb_safety_recommendation",
  "safetyRecommendationNumber": "P-76-020",
  "recommendationMode": "Pipeline",
  "topicMode": "Pipeline",
  "ntsbNumber": "DCA76FP016",
  "priority": "CLASS II",
  "overallStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Action",
  "overallStatusAcronym": "CAA",
  "overallDateClosed": "1977-06-13",
  "lastModifiedDate": "2016-11-15",
  "reportNumber": "None",
  "reportUrl": null,
  "transmittalLetterUrl": "http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/P76_20_21.pdf",
  "addressees": [
    {
      "addresseeName": "RSPA",
      "addresseeStatusAcronym": "CAA",
      "addresseeStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Action",
      "addresseeDateClosed": "1977-06-13",
      "addresseeDetails": [
        {
          "addresseeAcronym": "RSPA",
          "addresseeOrganizationType": "G-Federal Government",
          "isFromNtsb": false,
          "communicationDate": "1976-11-01",
          "communicationType": "Official Correspondence",
          "communicationContents": "LTR., FROM MTB: THE MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION BUREAU'S OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY OPERATIONS WILL MONITOR THE WELDED SEAM FAILURE PROBLEM FOR LIQUID PIPELINES AND WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE REGULATORY ACTION FOR THE PROBLEMS AS IDENTIFIED."
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```