NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-056

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-056.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT: THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY TRAIN AND EQUIP ALL APPROPRIATE RADIO-EQUIPPED FIELD PERSONNEL TO LOCATE AND OPERATE MAIN LINE VALVES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KNOWLEDGEABLE OFFICE PERSONNEL.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1972-11-22

Adopted Date: 1972-11-22

Overall Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Synopsis: On March 24, 1972, in the Annandale section of Fairfax County, VA, a contractor's backhoe snagged a 2-inch steel gas main, and pulled the main out of a compression coupling 22 feet away. Gas company personnel arrived on the scene about 40 minutes later and started to search for the break. The gas was not shut off and the nearby houses were not checked for the presence of gas. A house, 240 feet away from the point at which the line was snagged, exploded. Two other houses exploded and burned. As a result of the accident, three persons died and one was injured; two houses were destroyed and a third was badly damaged; and $153,000 worth of property was damaged.

Ntsbnumber: PLD72XR002

Report Number: PAR-72-04

Addressee Name: Washington Gas

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1975-12-30