Synopsis:
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ON AUGUST 20, 1979, A BULLDOZER OPERATED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT, ORANGE, TEXAS, BEGAN TO CLEAN A FARM DRAINAGE DITCH WITH A GENERALLY NORTH-SOUTH ALIGNMENT. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL PASSES ACROSS THE DITCH, THE OPERATOR HEADED THE BULLDOZER SOUTH ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE DITCH. AT 2:15 P.M. THE CORNER OF THE BLADE CUT INTO A PROPANE LINE, OWNED BY THE CITIES SERVICE PIPE LINE COMPANY, WHICH CROSSED BENEATH THE DITCH IN AN EAST-WEST DIRECTION. PROPANE AT 350 PSIG ESCAPED AND WAS IGNITED WITHIN SECONDS. THE RESULTING FIRE KILLED ONE PERSON AND INJURED ANOTHER, AND CAUSED CONSIDERABLE PROPERTY DAMAGE.
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Recommendation:
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THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION, THE INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, AND THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE: ADVISE THEIR MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT AND URGE THEM TO DETERMINE IF THE ORIGINAL BURIAL DEPTHS OF THEIR PIPELINES ARE ADEQUATE AND TO TAKE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
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Original recommendation transmittal letter:
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Overall Status:
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Closed - Acceptable Action
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Mode:
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Pipeline
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Location:
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Atchafalya Basin, LA, United States
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Is Reiterated:
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No
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Is Hazmat:
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No
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Is NPRM:
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No
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Accident #:
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FTW79FP013
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Accident Reports:
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Report #:
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None
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Accident Date:
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9/4/1979
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Issue Date:
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2/26/1980
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Date Closed:
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5/1/1981
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Addressee(s) and Addressee Status:
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American Gas Association (Closed--No Longer Applicable) American Petroleum Institute (Closed--No Longer Applicable) Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (Closed--No Longer Applicable)
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Keyword(s):
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