NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-027

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-027.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE COMPANY OF AMERICA: REVISE THE CORPORATE AND DISTRICT EMERGENCY PLANS TO INCLUDE DETAILED GUIDELINES ABOUT (1) THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF EMERGENCY COORDINATORS, (2) EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COORDINATION WITH ALL PUBLIC OFFICALS AND OFFSHORE PRODUCERS THAT MAY BE INVOLVED IN OFFSHORE ACCIDENTS, AND (3) ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR SYSTEM CONTROLLERS AND OTHER NON-DISTRICT EMPLOYEES WHO MAY RECEIVE INITIAL REPORTS OF AN INCIDENT; AND ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1990-10-01

Adopted Date: 1990-09-11

Overall Date Closed: 1991-06-03

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 3, 1989, THE UNITED STATES FISHING VESSEL NORTHUMBERLAND STRUCK AND RUPTURED A 16-INCH-DIAMETER NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE ABOUT 1/2 NAUTICAL MILE OFFSHORE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND ABOUT 5 1/3 NAUTICAL MILES WEST OF THE JETTIES AT THE ENTRANCE TO SABINE PASS, TEXAS. NATURAL GAS UNDER A PRESSURE OF 835 PSIG WAS RELEASED. AN UNDETERMINED SOURCE ON BOARD THE VESSEL IGNITED THE GAS, AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE VESSEL WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE ON THE VESSEL BURNED ITSELF OUT ON OCTOBER 4. LEAKING GAS FROM THE PIPELINE ALSO CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL OCTOBER 4. OF THE 14 CREW MEMBERS, 11 DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.

Ntsbnumber: DCA90MM001

Report Number: PAR-90-02

Addressee Name: MidCon Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1991-06-03

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1991-01-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: NATURAL HAS REVISED ITS CORPORATE AND DISTRICT EMERGENCY PLANS CONSISTENT WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1991-06-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence