NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-050

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-050.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: UNDERTAKE A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF PIPE STRESS CONCENTRATION CAUSED BY INPROPER WELD POSITIONING AND IMPROPER WELDING TECHNIQUES. BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY, INCORPORATED INTO 49 CFR 195 SPECIFICATIONS FOR PIPELINE REPAIR-WELDING PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO AVOID STRESS CONCENTRATIONS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1973-11-13

Adopted Date: 1973-11-07

Overall Date Closed: 1985-09-03

Synopsis: ON FEBRUARY 22, 1973, NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS LEAKED FROM A RUPTURED 10-INCH PIPELINE AT A PUMP STATION IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, FLOWED INTO DITCHES ALONGSIDE A ROAD ADJACENT TO THE STATION, AND VAPORIZED. A DODGE VAN DROVE INTO THE VAPOR-RICH ZONE AND STALLED. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE VAPOR IGNITED, AND THE DRIVER AND SEVEN PASSENGERS WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SIX OF THESE PERSONS DIED AND TWO WERE CRITICALLY BURNED.

Ntsbnumber: PLD73XR005

Report Number: PAR-73-04

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-09-03

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1976-03-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: OPS WILL REEVALUATE THE APPROPRIATE SECTIONS OF THE REGULATIONS AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO CLARIFY THE INTENT. 3/9/76 - STUDY TO BE COMPLETED IN 1977. 4/1/77 - ACTION PENDING AVAILABILITY OF OPSO RESOURCES.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1983-03-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RSPA LETTER: AS A RESULT OF MTB'S CONTINUING REVIEW OF THE EXISTING BODY OF REGULATIONS, RULEMAKING IS NOW UNDERWAY WHICH WILL ACOMPLISH RELATED, BUT HIGHER PRIORITY SAFETY OBJECTIVES ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROPER WELDING TECHNIQUES. THE RULEMAKING (ON NPRM) WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF APPROPRIATE WELDING PROCEDURES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 7 OF API 1104, TO MINIMIZE IMPROPER PIPELINE REPAIR WELDING TECHIQUES.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1985-09-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence