NTSB says pipeline fatalities in U.S. up 75 percent in 2009

WASHINGTON - Overall transportation fatalities in the U.S. decreased by 9.2 percent in 2009 from 2008, according to preliminary figures released Oct. 6 by the National Transportation Safety Board.

However, pipeline fatalities increased by 75 percent, from 8 to 14, with an increase in both gas pipeline and liquid pipeline operations.
The data indicate that transportation fatalities in all modes totaled 35,928 in 2009, compared to 39,569 in 2008. Although highway, rail, aviation, deaths declined, pipeline and marine fatalities showed an increase.
"While statistics show that transportation fatalities have declined this past year," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman, "we continue to see far too many accidents in all segments of the transportation community. There is still much work to do to prevent the loss of life on our roads, rails, waterways, and skies."
Marine deaths increased from 783 to 817, with the vast majority occurring in recreational boating (736). Other marine categories, including cargo transport and commercial fishing, showed increases as well, although commercial passenger vessels showed a slight decrease.
Highway fatalities, which account for nearly 95 percent of all transportation deaths, decreased from 37,423 in 2008 to 33,808 in 2009. In fact, highway fatalities decreased in all categories including motorcycle fatalities (down 16 percent) which had been on the rise in recent years.
Aviation deaths decreased from 574 to 538. Nearly 90 percent of aviation
fatalities occurred in general aviation accidents (471), but they still represented a decrease from the previous year (494).
Rail fatalities decreased four percent from 781 to 751. The vast majority of
these fatalities were persons struck by a train or other rail vehicle.
Aviation statistics are compiled by the NTSB. Marine numbers are provided by the Department of Homeland Security, and numbers for all other modes by the Department of Transportation.

NTSB report on fatal Dixie Pipeline rupture in 2007 now online

The final report of the National TransportationSafety Board on the Dixie Pipeline rupture and fire in Mississippi in 2007 is now available online at http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/P_Acc.htm and http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2009/PAR0901.pdf
Following is the executive summary of the report:
“On November 1, 2007, at 10:35:02 a.m. central daylight time, a 12-inch-diameter pipeline segment operated by Dixie Pipeline Company was transporting liquid propane at about 1,405 pounds per square inch, gauge, when it ruptured in a rural area near Carmichael, Mississippi. The resulting gas cloud expanded over nearby homes and ignited, creating a large fireball that was heard and seen from miles away. About 10,253 barrels (430,626 gallons) of propane were released. “As a result of the ensuing fire, two people were killed and seven people sustained minor injuries. Four houses were destroyed, and several others were damaged. About 71.4 acres of grassland and woodland were burned. Dixie Pipeline Company reported that property damages resulting from the accident, including the loss of product, were $3,377,247.
“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the November 1, 2007, rupture of the liquid propane pipeline operated by Dixie Pipeline Company near Carmichael, Mississippi, was the failure of a weld that caused the pipe to fracture along the longitudinal seam weld, a portion of the upstream girth weld, and portions of the adjacent pipe joints.
"The following safety issues were identified as a result of the investigation of this accident:
• The failure mechanisms and safety of low-frequency electric resistance welded pipe,
• The adequacy of Dixie Pipeline Company’s public education program,
• The adequacy of federal pipeline safety regulations and oversight exercised by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of pipeline operators’ public education and emergency responder outreach programs, and
• Emergency communications in Clarke County, Mississippi.

Retired NTSB investigator Charles H. Batten dead at 72

Charles Hershel Batten, 72, died at his residence in the Lake of the Woods community, Locust Grove, Va., on Oct. 24, 2009.
Mr. Batten was born in Douglas, Ga., in 1937. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech with a B.S. in civil engineering, and a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Master of Science degree in safety systems.
Mr. Batten served in the United States Army Reserve as a sergeant first class. He retired from the Florida Public Service Commission, the National Transportation Safety Board and Batten Associates.
Mr. Batten is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan Allen Batten; two sons, Brad Batten of Warrenton, Va., and Chuck Batten of Slidell, La.; a daughter, Jennifer Nagy of La Crosse, Wis.; and a brother, Jimmy Batten of Winter Garden, Fla.
A memorial service for Mr. Batten will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at The Lake of the Woods Church. The Rev. Tom Schafer will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Rapidan, Box 1715, Culpeper, Va. 22701, or The Lake of the Woods Church, One Church Lane, Locust Grove, Va. 22508.
Online condolences may be made to Johnsoncares .com.

NTSB issues findings on fatal 2007 Dixie Pipeline rupture in Mississippi

CARMICHAEL, Miss. - The National Transportation Safety Board on Oct. 15 issued its final findings on a 2007 rupture on the Dixie liquid propane gas (LPG).
In its report, the NTSB took direct aim at Dixie Pipeline. It stated, among other things, that better pipeline testing might have prevented the explosion. It also found that the company had not included the Carmichael community in its safety education program.
For many residents of Clarke County, Miss., the wounds from the 2007 pipeline explosion remain fresh. The trees are still charred. The ruins of two mobile homes are still where they almost melted when the LPG line ruptured and exploded near the Carmichael community in southeastern Clarke County. Pieces of the charred mobile homes still sit exactly where they fell on Nov. 1, 2007, when the compromised pipeline spilled propane gas down in a hollow.
"It was just a normal day in Clarke County until the explosion happened and then it was total chaos," said Sheriff Todd Kemp.
"This line travels a long distance, but for it to happen right here in this little community here, it was tragedy," said District 5 county supervisor Tony Fleming. "You come down here hoping no one got hurt. We find out we lost some lives, people that we knew."
The cost to the Dixie Pipeline Company was over $3.5 million. The cost to the Carmichael community was two lives, five homes, and a feeling of unease. The blast killed Maddie and Naquandra Mitchell, and forced many of their family members to find alternative living arrangements.
At least one group has filed a class action lawsuit against the pipeline company.