NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
June 8, 2007

PIPELINE AND MARINE ACCIDENTS TO BE DISCUSSED AT NTSB MEETING

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Thursday, June 14, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, DC.

There are two items on the meeting agenda:

1. Pipeline Accident Brief - Anhydrous Ammonia Release Near Kingman, Kansas

At about 11:15 am on October 27, 2004, an 8 5/8-inch outer diameter steel pipeline operated by Enterprise Products Operating, L.P. ruptured and released about 4,858 barrels (204,000 gallons) of anhydrous ammonia in an agricultural area about 6 miles east of Kingman, KS. Nobody was killed or injured as a result of the release. Ammonia from the pipeline entered a nearby creek and killed more than 25,000 fish including some threatened species. Media Contact: Peter Knudson

2. Marine Accident Report - Fire Aboard Construction Barge Athena 106

On October 12, 2006, the towing vessel Miss Megan was pushing two deck barges in the West Cote Blanch Bay oil field in Louisiana, en route to a pile-driving location. Barge Athena 106 was tied along the port side of barge IBR 234. The Miss Megan was secured astern of IBR 234 pushing both barges. While the vessels were under way, the aft spud (a 5-ton steel shaft used as a mooring device) on the Athena 106 released from its fully raised position. The spud dropped into the water and struck a submerged natural gas pipeline. The resulting released gas ignited and created a fireball that engulfed the towing vessel and both barges. The master of the towing vessel and four barge workers were killed. The Miss Megan deckhand and one barge worker survived. One barge worker is officially listed as missing. Media Contact: Keith Holloway

Directions to the Board Room: Front door is located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L'Enfant Plaza. From Metro, exit L'Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D streets escalator, walk through shopping mall and at CVS store take the escalator down one level. The Board Room will be to the left.

A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be available on the Board's web site at www.ntsb.gov. Technical support details are available under "Board Meetings." To report any problems, please call (703) 993- 3100 and ask for Webcast Technical Support.

A summary of each final report, including findings, probable cause and safety recommendations, will appear on the web site after the conclusion of the meeting. The entire reports will appear on the web site several weeks later.

NTSB Public Affairs: 202-314-6100

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