NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-058

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-058.

INSTRUCT ITS PERSONNEL MORE ADEQUATELY IN INSPECTION TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES AND EMPHASIZE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF UNDETECTED, UNREPORTED, CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE TO AN OPERATING PIPELINE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Issued Date: 1976-09-17

Adopted Date: 1976-07-20

Overall Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 2, 1975, AN 8-INCH PIPELINE WHICH WAS OWNED BY THE SUN PIPE LINE COMPANY RUPTURED IN ROMULUS, MICHIGAN. PROPANE ESCAPED FROM THE RUPTURE, SPRAYED INTO THE AIR, VAPORIZED, AND IGNITED; FLAMES 500 FEET HIGH ENGULFED A 600-FOOT-DIAMETER AREA, DESTROYED FOUR HOUSES AND DAMAGED THREE OTHERS, AND BURNED 12 VEHICLES NINE PERSONS WERE INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT.

Ntsbnumber: PLD75XR003

Report Number: PAR-76-07

Addressee Name: Sun Pipeline Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1977-03-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR. FROM SUN PIPELINE COMPANY: FROM OUR STANDPOINT WE DID HAVE INSPECTORS DURING THE PERIOD OF THIRD PARTY CONSTRUCTION AND THE LINE WAS CAREFULLY STAKED AND MARKED WITH AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE INSPECTOR AND THE CONTRACTOR, AS IN THIS INSTANCE, ALL TOO OFTEN THE CONTRACTOR AND ITS EMPLOYEES FAIL TO REPORT INCIDENTS. WE WOULD STRESS THAT CONTRACTORS MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE TO EXISTING PIPELINES.