NTSB Safety Recommendation P-83-004

NTSB safety recommendation P-83-004.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC GAS ASSOCIATION, AND THE NATIONAL L.P. GAS ASSOCIATION: NOTIFY ITS MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT IN PORTALES, NEW MEXICO, ON JUNE 28, 1982, AND URGE THEM TO INCLUDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THEIR SYSTEM MAPS SUFFICIENT TO IDENTIFY THE EXISTENCE AND LOCATION OF ALL THEIR PIPELINE FACILITIES, AND TO EMPHASIZE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING FOR UNSEEN DAMAGE WHERE THEIR FACILITIES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY EXCAVATION OPERATIONS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1983-01-27

Adopted Date: 1983-01-13

Overall Date Closed: 1983-08-15

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: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-08-15

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-06-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION LETTER: ENCLOSED (TO ASSOCIATION MEMBER COMPANIES) IS THE NTSB SAFETY RECOMMENDATION REFERENCED ABOVE, WHICH REQUESTS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION "NOTIFY ITS MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT IN PORTALES, NEW MEXICO, ON JUNE 28, 1982, AND URGE THEM TO INCLUDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THEIR PIPELINE FACILITIES, AND TO EMPHASIZE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING FOR UNSEEN DAMAGE WHERE THEIR FACILITIES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY EXCAVATION OPERATIONS.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-08-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Name: American Public Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-08-15

Addressee Name: National L.P. Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-08-15