Preliminary
Report, Gas Pipeline Explosion, Manhattan, New York, March 12, 2014
On March 12, 2014, about 9:30 a.m. eastern daylight time, two multi-use,
five-story tall buildings were destroyed by an explosion and fire. The buildings
were located on the west side of Park Avenue between 116th Street and 117th Street
in Manhattan, New York. Eight people died and more than 48 people were injured.
Fire suppression and recovery activities continued for more than
six days. The violent explosion damaged adjacent buildings and buildings on the
east side of Park Avenue and along 116th Street and 117th Street. The Metro-North
Railroad suspended rail service for about 7.5 hours on March 12 on the elevated
railway along Park Avenue because of debris on the track.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators have
completed their on-scene work. The investigation will continue at the NTSB headquarters
in Washington, D.C. Preliminary results of the investigation include the following:
- Leak testing on the 8-inch cast iron gas main on Park Avenue identified small gas leaks below the pavement. Selected pipe sections have been removed and will be shipped to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further examination.
- The 8-inch plastic pipe installed in 2011 has been removed and will be sent to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further examination.
- Only portions of the service pipes connecting the gas main to the exploded buildings were available for examination. Selected pipe sections passed pressure tests and will be sent to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further examination.
- The segment of the 12-inch water main containing the large crack will be sent to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further examination.
The parties to the investigation include the City of New York, the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Consolidated Edison Company,
and the State of New York Public Service Commission.
