NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-008

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-008.

TRAIN PUMP STATION PERSONNEL ON PUMP MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LINE PRESSURE LOSSES CAUSED BY LEAKS AND BY PUMPS BEING VAPOR LOCKED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-02-08

Adopted Date: 1978-01-12

Overall Date Closed: 1978-09-29

Synopsis: ON JULY 20, 1977, A 12-INCH PROPANE PIPELINE, OWNED BY THE CONSOLIDATED GAS SUPPLY CORPORATION, RUPTURED NEAR THE TOWN OF RUFF CREEK, PENNSYLVANIA. THE LIQUID ESCAPED FROM THE PIPELINE, VAPORIZED, AND PROPANE VAPORS SETTLED LIKE A FOG OVER THE BOTTOM OF A VALLEY. TWO MEN IN A PICKUP TRUCK ENTERED THE PROPANE CLOUD; THE TRUCK STALLED AND THE PROPANE GAS IGNITED WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO RESTART THE TRUCK. THE 2 PERSONS IN THE TRUCK WERE KILLED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA77MP027

Report Number: PAR-78-01

Addressee Name: Consolidated Gas Transmission Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1978-09-29

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-07-17

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: CONSOLIDATED GAS SUPPLY CORP. LTR: THREE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD AT HASTINGS TO EXPLAIN PUMP OPERATION ALONG WITH THE NEW MONITOR SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW WHEN MONITORS INDICATE ON ALARM CONDITION. A 1/4" NIPPLE AND VALUE WERE INSTALLED AT HASTINGS TO HELP OPERATORS DETERMINE IF A VAPOR LOCK CONDITION EXISTS. THE VALVE CAN BE CRACKED TO SEE IF VAPOR OR LIQUID IS RELEASED.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-09-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence