NTSB Safety Recommendation P-75-010

NTSB safety recommendation P-75-010.

REQUIRE TRANSCO TO: IF NECESSARY, REEVALUATE, AND REDESIGN THEIR COMPRESSOR STATION FAILURE ALARMS ON THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1975-05-28

Adopted Date: 1975-05-28

Overall Date Closed: 1979-02-02

Synopsis: ON JUNE 9, 1974, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE CORPORATION'S 30-INCH NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE RUPTURED IN A RURAL AREA NEAR BEALETON, VIRGINIA. NATURAL GAS ESCAPED, IGNITED, AND FUELED FLAMES WHICH WERE VISIBLE TO AIRLINE PILOTS OVER 100 MILES AWAY. NO DEATHS OR INJURIES RESULTED, NO LIVESTOCK WERE AFFECTED, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE AMOUNTED ONLY TO A SCORCHED FIELD AND SOME BURNED TREES.

Ntsbnumber: PLD74XR006

Report Number: PAR-75-02

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1979-02-02

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1976-05-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: 5/24/76 - LTR FROM TRANSCO TO NTSB, ENCLOSING 10/27/75 LTR TO OPSO: INSTALLATION OF SENSITIVE RATE-OF-FLOW AUTOMATIC VALVE SHUT DOWN DEVICES ON OPEN CROSSOVERS SHOULD ASSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXISTING PIPELINE FAILURE ALARM SYSTEM. DURING THE SUBJECT FAILURE, THE ALARM SYSTEM IS NOT CONSIDERED TO HAVE FAILED, BUT DID NOT ACTIVATE AN ALARM DUE TO LACK OF SUFFICIENT PRESSURE SIGNAL.