NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-059

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-059.

REEVALUATE ITS PROPANE CAVERN OPERATING PROCEDURES AND EMPHASIZE TO ITS TERMINAL PERSONNEL THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS CREATED BY A LINE BLOCKAGE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable 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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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 PIPE LINE COMPANY:OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR FILLING THE CAVERNS AT INKSTER HAVE BEEN REVIEWED SO THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TRANSMIT FINAL INSTRUCTIONS HAS BEEN REASSIGNED FROM THE DELIVERY PERSON TO THE TERMINAL OPERATOR, AND THE TERMINAL OPERATOR SHALL TRANSMIT SUCH INSTRUCTIONS ONLY AFTER CONFIRMING THAT RECEIVING FACILITIES ARE PROPERLY ALIGNED.