# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-077

**Citation:** P-78-077  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** National Transportation Safety Board  
**Effective:** 1978-12-29  
**Published:** 1978-12-29

ESTABLISH AN EARLY LIAISON WITH THE GAS COMPANY BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND COORDINATE THE FIELD ACTIVITIES OF THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS TO AFFORD MAXIMUM PROTECTION OF PIPELINE FACILITIES.

## Document text

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-077.

ESTABLISH AN EARLY LIAISON WITH THE GAS COMPANY BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND COORDINATE THE FIELD ACTIVITIES OF THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS TO AFFORD MAXIMUM PROTECTION OF PIPELINE FACILITIES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-12-29

Adopted Date: 1978-12-07

Overall Date Closed: 1983-04-01

Synopsis: ON JUNE 12, 1978, A 10-INCH NATURAL GAS PIPELINE OWNED BY THE GAS SERVICE COMPANY WAS STRUCK AND RUPTURED BY EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT DURING CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWER IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. THE NATURAL GAS ESCAPED FROM A 5-INCH-LONG HOLE IN THE PIPELINE. THE GAS IGNITED WHILE TWO GAS COMPANY EMPLOYEES WERE CLEANING THE PIPE WITH HAND TOOLS BEFORE INSTALLING A PIPE REPAIR CLAMP. BOTH MEN WERE BURNED SERIOUSLY.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78MP020

Report Number: PAR-78-05

Addressee Name: Torson Construction Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-04-01

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-04-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-78-077>
- Source ID: `ntsb-pipeline`
- SHA-256: `039f8b980a448b5376d22c49e398fd1027dc4c649724a2ce06691c570328f4e1`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:57:24.741Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T14:59:03.544Z
- Document slug: `ntsb-recommendation-p-78-077`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "recordKind": "ntsb_safety_recommendation",
  "safetyRecommendationNumber": "P-78-077",
  "recommendationMode": "Pipeline",
  "topicMode": "Pipeline",
  "ntsbNumber": "DCA78MP020",
  "priority": "CLASS II",
  "overallStatus": "Closed - Unacceptable Action",
  "overallStatusAcronym": "CUA",
  "overallDateClosed": "1983-04-01",
  "lastModifiedDate": "2016-11-15",
  "reportNumber": "PAR-78-05",
  "reportUrl": "https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA78MP020.aspx",
  "transmittalLetterUrl": "http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/P78_76_78.pdf",
  "addressees": [
    {
      "addresseeName": "Torson Construction Company",
      "addresseeStatusAcronym": "CNLA",
      "addresseeStatus": "Closed--No Longer Applicable",
      "addresseeDateClosed": "1983-04-01",
      "addresseeDetails": [
        {
          "addresseeAcronym": null,
          "addresseeOrganizationType": "P-Private Industry",
          "isFromNtsb": true,
          "communicationDate": "1983-04-01",
          "communicationType": "Official Correspondence",
          "communicationContents": ""
        },
        {
          "addresseeAcronym": null,
          "addresseeOrganizationType": "P-Private Industry",
          "isFromNtsb": true,
          "communicationDate": "1982-10-08",
          "communicationType": "Official Correspondence",
          "communicationContents": ""
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```