Guidanceguidance
P-76-021
NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-021
Current as of 1976-06-14 Government source
RegulusPipeline researchRegulusPipeline researchP-76-021
NTSB safety recommendation P-76-021.
REQUEST ALL PIPELINE COMPANIES WHICH HAVE INSTALLED ERW PIPE MANUFACTURED BY THE JONES AND LAUGHLIN STEEL CORPORATION TO REVIEW THEIR RECORDS ON LONGITUDINAL SEAM FAILURES AND DETERMINE IF THE NUMBER OF SUCH FAILURES IS ABNORMALLY HIGH. AFTER DOT REVIEWS THESE DATA, IT SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY CORRECTIVE ACTION. (URGENT)
Priority: CLASS I
Overall Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable
Issued Date: 1976-06-14
Adopted Date: 1976-05-21
Overall Date Closed: 1982-05-24
Synopsis: ON FEBRUARY 25, 1976, A MID-AMERICA PIPE LINE SYSTEM 8-INCH LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS PIPELINE RUPTURED NEAR WHITHARRAL, TEXAS. THE ESCAPING LPG VAPORIZED, FORMED A LOW-LYING CLOUD, AND IGNITED. THE OCCUPANTS OF TWO DWELLINGS IN THE AREA WERE BURNED SEVERELY, AND FIVE WERE KILLED.
Probable Cause: Investigation showed that the longitudinal seam of the 8 inch pipe had split. The 8 1/2-foot -long split was located on the side of the pipe at the 9:00 position. The pipe was manufactured by Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation in 1960.
Ntsbnumber: DCA76FP016
Report Number: None
Addressee Name: RSPA
Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable
Addressee Date Closed: 1982-05-24
Addressee Acronym: RSPA
Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government
Communication Date: 1976-11-01
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
Communication Contents: LTR FROM MTB: MTB WILL NOT CONDUCT THE REVIEW REQUESTED SINCE SUFFICIENT DATA IS NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM A MEANINGFUL REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE OF ERW PIPE FROM JONES & LAUGHLIN STEEL CORPORATION. WE WILL PROPOSE THAT OPERATORS CONDUCT A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THEIR PIPELINES. OPSO PLANS TO ISSUE A NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING ADDRESSING THIS SUBJECT IN CY 77. 2/16/82 ENTRY IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER (VOL. 47, NO. 31, PAGE 6675): WITHDRAWAL OF ADVANCE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.
Addressee Acronym: RSPA
Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government
Communication Date: 1982-05-24
Communication Type: Official Correspondence
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.