NTSB Safety Recommendation P-83-002

NTSB safety recommendation P-83-002.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE GAS COMPANY OF NEW MEXICO: INCLUDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ON ITS SYSTEM MAPS TO IDENTIFY THE EXISTENCE AND LOCATION OF ALL SERVICE LINES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1983-01-27

Adopted Date: 1983-01-13

Overall Date Closed: 1988-05-11

Synopsis: ON JUNE 28, 1982, A NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION DEMOLISHED A HOUSE, KILLED FIVE PERSONS, AND CRITICALLY INJURED ONE PERSON AT 827 WEST 18TH STREET IN PORTALES, NEW MEXICO; THE CRITICALLY INJURED PERSON DIED LATER AT A BURN TREATMENT CENTER. THE GAS SERVICE LINE TO THE HOUSE HAD BEEN DAMAGED 37 DAYS EARLIER WHEN A CONTRACTOR'S BACKHOE PULLED UP THE LINE DURING CONDUIT EXCAVATION WORK FOR THE LOCAL TELEPHONE COMPANY. AT THE SAME TIME THE LINE WAS PULLED OUT AT THE EXCAVATION SITE, THE LINE WAS PULLED OUT OF A COMPRESSION COUPLING BURIED UNDER THE STREET. THE PULLOUT AT THE EXCAVATION SITE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE PULLOUT UNDER THE STREET WAS NOT REPAIRED UNTIL AFTER THIS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE GAS COMPANY DID NOT DETECT IT WHEN IT HAPPENED.

Probable Cause: The probable cause was the gas company's inadequate inspection of the damaged service line and failure to pressure test it after reconnection.

Ntsbnumber: DCA82MP016

Report Number: PAR-83-01

Addressee Name: Gas Company of New Mexico

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-05-11

Addressee Acronym: PNM

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-03-11

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE GAS COMPANY HAS INITIATED A PROGRAM TO MAP ALL SERVICE LINES. THIS EFFORT REQUIRES THE ACTUAL LINE LOCATION IN EVERY FIELD OFFICE AND SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTATION IN OUR DRAFTING DEPARTMENT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE MAPPED ALL OF THE SERVICE LINES IN THE CITIES OF PORTALES, T OR C, GRANTS AND CLAYTON, NEW MEXICO AND HAVE MAPPED APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE CITY OF ALAMOGORDO AND 10% OF THE CITY OF FARMINGTON. THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, WHICH REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY HALF OF OUR CUSTOMERS, ALREADY MAINTAINS SERVICE LINE INFORMATION ON THEIR SYSTEM MAPS. WE ANTICIPATE COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM IN 1999.

Addressee Acronym: PNM

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-05-11

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: PNM

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-02-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence