Authors: U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Date of Publication:  1980

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Performing Organization:  U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Report No: NTSB-SIR-80-1

Abstract:

Since 1968, the Safety Board has investigated many serious accidents involving release of hazardous materials from tank cars which were either breached or ruptured following derailments. As. a result of these investigations, the Safety Board recommended that Federal authorities take remedial action to reduce the likelihood of tank cars releasing their contents in the derailment environment.

During its investigation of a railroad derailment near Inwood, Indiana, on November 8, 1979, the Safety Board noted unresolved questions about the dangers posed in handling severely damaged tank cars containing liquefied flammable gases at the accident site. Because of this continuing problem, the Safety Board initiated this special investigation to identify the hazards caused by the actual reduction of the ability of damaged cars to contain their lading; to determine the ability of experts to estimate this reduced capability; and to examine the feasibility of developing practical guidelines to help determine how damaged hazardous materials tank cars should be handled.