NTSB BOARD MEETING TO LOOK AT MARYLAND OIL PIPELINE SPILL
AND 2000 AMTRAK GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENT IN FLORIDA

• The Safety Board will consider the rupture of oil pipeline and release of fuel oil near Chalk Point, Maryland on April 7, 2000. Pipeline break occurred near the PEPCO generating station in Prince George’s County, releasing over 140,000 gallons of fuel oil into surrounding marshland, Swanson Creek, and the Patuxent River. Cost of environmental response and clean-up operations totaled approximately $70 million. Press Contact: Paul Schlamm.
  

• Also to be considered will be the grade crossing collision between an AMTRAK train and a tractor-trailer in Intercession City, Florida on November 17, 2000. The 23-axle, heavy-haul vehicle was delivering a condenser to the Kissimmee Utility Authority. As the vehicle traveled over a private access road to the plant, which crossed a single railroad track, the crossing warning devices activated and the gates came down on the load. Seconds later, Amtrak train 97 collided with the right side of the rear of the tractor. There were no injuries. The collision destroyed the tractor and caused over $200,000 in damages. The Safety Board investigated a similar accident at the same location on November 30, 1993. Press Contact: Terry Williams.

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