NTSB Safety Recommendation P-71-004

NTSB safety recommendation P-71-004.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: REVIEW THE OVERALL PROBLEM OF SAFETY OF PIPELINES IN AREAS WHERE MINE SUBSIDENCE EXISTS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1971-03-15

Adopted Date: 1971-02-18

Overall Date Closed: 1978-09-28

Synopsis: A 16-INCH PIPELINE OPERATING AT A PRESSURE OF 378 P.S.I.G. RUPTURED, CAUSING A CRATER 30 FEET LONG, 10 FEET WIDE, AND 25 FEET DEEP. AN EARTHQUAKE-LIKE RUMBLE WAS HEARD AND FELT BY RESIDENTS IN THE AREA. ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL RUPTURE, THE ESCAPING GAS IGNITED ALONG THE GROUND, AND FLASHED BACK TO THE BREAK, RESULTING IN A FIRE 100 FEET HIGH WHICH WAS VISIBLE 10 MILES AWAY. THE FIRE BURNED FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, DIED DOWN, AND WENT OUT AS THE VALVES ONE-HALF MILE NORTH AND 5 MILES SOUTH OF THE RUPTURE WERE MANUALLY TURNED OFF BY THE WORKMEN OF THE EQUITABLE GAS COMPANY. THERE WERE NO FATALITIES OR INJURIES.

Ntsbnumber: DCA71XX001

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1978-09-28

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1971-04-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM DOT: WE AGREE THAT THE OVERALL PROBLEM OF THE SAFETY OF PIPELINES IN AREAS WHERE MINE SUBSIDENCE EXISTS IS ONE THAT SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF REVIEW ON A PRIORITY BASIS. THE BUREAU OF MINES HAS RECENTLY CONTRACTED FOR A DEFINITE STUDY OF THE SUBJECT AND WE WILL STAY IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE BUREAU. 7/7/78 - MTB LETTER: MTB STATES THAT THEY HAVE NO ONGOING SPECIFIC PROGRAM FOR REVIEW OF SUBSIDENCE, HOWEVER THEY ARE ALERT TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE: (1) STUDIED STRESS CORROSION CRACKING FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH ENVIRONMENTALLY INDUCED DISPLACEMENT OF PIPELINES. (2) STUDIED NEW DEVELOPMENTS (DOWNWARD LOOKING RADAR) TO HELP IDENTIFY SUBSIDENCE WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN SHOWN TO BE PROMISING. (3) FEDERAL AND STATE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE ALERT FOR THE PROBLEM AND REQUIRE OPERATORS TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION WHEN SUSPECTED OR FOUND.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1978-08-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence