NTSB Safety Recommendation P-83-014

NTSB safety recommendation P-83-014.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION, THE INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, AND THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE NOTIFY ITS MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT IN HUDSON, IOWA, ON NOVEMBER 4, 1982, AND URGE THEM TO EMPHASIZE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATING FULLY WITH EXCAVATORS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED WORK AND ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REMAINING ON THE JOB SITE UNTIL ALL EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES ARE CLEAR ON THE PIPELINES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1983-06-13

Adopted Date: 1983-05-17

Overall Date Closed: 1984-01-06

Synopsis: ON NOVEMBER 4, 1982, A TILE PLOW INSTALLING FIELD DRAINAGE TILE ON A FARM LOCATED 4 MILES WEST OF HUDSON, LOWA, STRUCK AND PUNCTURED A WELL MARKED, 20-INCH-DIAMETER NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE, NATURAL GAS ESCAPING AT ABOUT 820 PSIG IGNITED IMMEDIATELY, AND THE ENSURING FIRE KILLED FIVE PERSONS, DESTROYED FIVE PIECES OF EXCAVATON MACHINERY AND TWO PICKUP TRUCKS, AND BURNED SEVERAL ACRES OF SOYBEAN STUBBLE.

Probable Cause: The probable cause was the contractor’s decision to change the planned tile installation route without notifying Northern Natural Gas, combined with Northern’s maintenance employee leaving the job site before excavation activities near the pipelines were complete, which allowed the tile plow to strike and puncture the pipeline.

Ntsbnumber: DCA83MP004

Report Number: PAR-83-02

Addressee Name: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-09-21

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-09-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: AGA LETTER: ENCLOSED IS THE NTSB SAFETY RECOMMENDATION REFERENCED ABOVE FOR INFORMATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION. IN REVIEWING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT, THE A.G.A. CONSIDERS THAT THE PIPELINE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE FULFILLED THE OBLIGATIONS EXPECTED OF A REASONABLE AGENT. IT IS NOT CONSIDERED REASONABLE OR COST EFFECTIVE TO REQUIRE A PIPELINE REPRESENTATIVE TO REMAIN IN THE AREA INDEFINITELY BEYOND EXCAVATION, JUST IN CASE EXCAVATION PLANS ARE SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED. IF CHANGES ARE PROPOSED AFTER PLANNED EXCAVATION IS COMPLETED, THEN THE PARTY PROPOSING THE CHANGES SHOULD HAVE THE BURDEN OF NOTIFICATION PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE CHANGES.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1984-01-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Name: American Petroleum Institute

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-06-30

Addressee Acronym: API

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-06-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE LETTER: ON JUNE 24, 1983, THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TRANSMITTED TO OUR CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION FOR CONSIDERATION AND ACTION BY EACH INDIVIDUAL COMPANY. THE INSTITUTE WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE SAFE HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS BY ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.

Addressee Acronym: API

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-08-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Name: Interstate Natural Gas Association of America

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-06-22

Addressee Acronym: INGAA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-06-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: INGAA LETTER: PER YOUR REQUEST, THE RECOMMENDATION WAS FORWARDED TO THE INGAA MEMBERSHIP ON JUNE 23, 1983.

Addressee Acronym: INGAA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-08-11

Communication Type: Official Correspondence