NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-051

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-051.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PHILLIPS PIPE LINE COMPANY; EXAMINE ITS PIPELINE SYSTEM AND EXCAVATE THE LINE ON A RANDOM SAMPLE BASIS IN AREAS WHERE FULL-WRAP REINFORCEMENT SLEEVES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, AND INSPECT THOSE REPAIRED SECTIONS FOR POSSIBLE AREAS OF STRESS CONCENTRATION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1973-11-13

Adopted Date: 1973-11-07

Overall Date Closed: 1976-07-20

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: Phillips Petroleum Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1976-07-20

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1974-08-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM PHILLIPS PIPELINE COMPANY: PHILLIPS MADE OVER 50 INSPECTIONS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND UNCOVERED IN EXCESS OF 23,000 FEET OF PIPE WHERE FULLWRAP HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED. IN ADDITION, PHILLIPS ALSO ELECTED TO HYDROSTATICALLY TEST THE ENTIRE PIPELINE.