NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-024

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-024.

USE INTERNAL PIPELINE INSPECTION EQUIPMENT IN THE SECTIONS WHICH ARE NOT RETESTED HYDROSTATICALLY TO DETECT ANY LONGITUDINAL PIPE SEAM DEFECTS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Issued Date: 1976-06-14

Adopted Date: 1976-05-21

Overall Date Closed: 1986-12-03

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: Mid-America Pipeline System

Addressee Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Addressee Date Closed: 1986-12-03

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1986-12-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THIS IS ACTUALLY A FOLLOWUP AND THE FOLLOWING IS A HISTORY OF PAST CORRESPONDENCE. MID-AMERICA'S RESPONSE OF JUNE 15, 1976. NTSB'S FOLLOWUP LETTER OF JULY 30, 1976.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1986-12-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence