NTSB Safety Recommendation P-79-003

NTSB safety recommendation P-79-003.

ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES THAT REQUIRE ITS PERSONNEL TO ASCERTAIN THAT PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN IN THE FIELD TO ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE OR SUDDEN CHANGES IN ELEVATION WHEN LOWERING A SECTION OF PIPELINE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Issued Date: 1979-05-15

Adopted Date: 1979-05-03

Overall Date Closed: 1984-05-24

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 4, 1978, PROPANE THAT HAD VAPORIZED AND SPREAD WIDELY FROM A RUPTURED 8-INCH LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS PIPELINE OWNED BY THE MID-AMERICA PIPELINE SYSTEM WAS IGNITED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE IN A RURAL AREA NEAR DONNELLSON, IOWA. THE INTENSE FIRE KILLED TWO PERSONS AND CRITICALLY BURNED THREE OTHERS; ONE OF THE CRITICALLY BURNED PERSONS LATER DIED. A FARMHOUSE AND SIX OUTBUILDINGS WERE DESTROYED, AND TWO ADJACENT HOMES WE DAMAGED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78MP021

Report Number: PAR-79-01

Addressee Name: Mid-America Pipeline System

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1984-05-24

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1984-05-24

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence