# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-066

**Citation:** P-78-066  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** National Transportation Safety Board  
**Effective:** 1978-11-07  
**Published:** 1978-11-07

UPDATE THE LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED TO CLOSE SPECIFIC VALVES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AND INSTITUTE A PROCEDURE TO ASSURE THAT THE LIST IS UPDATED AT LEAST ANNUALLY. (URGENT)

## Document text

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-066.

UPDATE THE LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED TO CLOSE SPECIFIC VALVES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AND INSTITUTE A PROCEDURE TO ASSURE THAT THE LIST IS UPDATED AT LEAST ANNUALLY. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-11-07

Adopted Date: 1978-11-06

Overall Date Closed: 1984-05-24

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 4, 1978, PROPANE THAT HAD VAPORIZED AND SPREAD WIDELY FROM A RUPTURED 8-INCH LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS PIPELINE OWNED BY THE MIDAMERICA PIPELINE SYSTEM WAS IGNITED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE IN A RURAL AREA NEAR DONNELLSON, IOWA. THE INTENSE FIRE KILLED TWO PERSONS AND CRITICALLY BURNED THREE OTHERS AS THEY FLED THEIR HOMES; ONE OF THE CRITICALLY BURNED PERSONS LATER DIED. A FARMHOUSE AND SIX BUILDINGS WERE DESTROYED, AND TWO ADJACENT HOMES WERE DAMAGED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78MP021

Report Number: PAR-79-01

Addressee Name: Mid-America Pipeline System

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1984-05-24

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1984-05-24

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-78-066>
- Source ID: `ntsb-pipeline`
- SHA-256: `76d30e5ce8d88f8efefee7d032af20350d4372c5dd3abae4d4a6d172383e1109`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:57:24.741Z
- Exported: 2026-08-24T20:16:54.636Z
- Document slug: `ntsb-recommendation-p-78-066`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "recordKind": "ntsb_safety_recommendation",
  "safetyRecommendationNumber": "P-78-066",
  "recommendationMode": "Pipeline",
  "topicMode": "Pipeline",
  "ntsbNumber": "DCA78MP021",
  "priority": "CLASS I",
  "overallStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Action",
  "overallStatusAcronym": "CAA",
  "overallDateClosed": "1984-05-24",
  "lastModifiedDate": "2017-09-06",
  "reportNumber": "PAR-79-01",
  "reportUrl": "https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA78MP021.aspx",
  "transmittalLetterUrl": "http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/P78_66_67.pdf",
  "addressees": [
    {
      "addresseeName": "Mid-America Pipeline System",
      "addresseeStatusAcronym": "CAA",
      "addresseeStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Action",
      "addresseeDateClosed": "1984-05-24",
      "addresseeDetails": [
        {
          "addresseeAcronym": null,
          "addresseeOrganizationType": "P-Private Industry",
          "isFromNtsb": true,
          "communicationDate": "1984-05-24",
          "communicationType": "Official Correspondence",
          "communicationContents": ""
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```