Event Notification Report for April 19, 1999
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
Event Reports For
04/16/1999 - 04/19/1999
** EVENT NUMBERS **
35597 35598 35599 35600 35601 35602
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|General Information or Other |Event Number: 35597 |
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| REP ORG: UNITED AIRLINES, NEWARK, NJ |NOTIFICATION DATE: 04/16/1999|
|LICENSEE: AMERSHAM |NOTIFICATION TIME: 04:58[EDT]|
| CITY: NEWARK REGION: 1 |EVENT DATE: 04/16/1999|
| COUNTY: STATE: NJ |EVENT TIME: 02:45[EDT]|
|LICENSE#: AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 04/16/1999|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |DAN HOLODY R1 |
| |GEORGE PANGBURN R1 |
+------------------------------------------------+JOHN JACOBSON R3 |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: LTJG EBNER, DOT NRC |JOHN SURMEIER NMSS |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: DICK JOLLIFFE |FRED COMBS NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+FRANK CONGEL IRO |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|NINF INFORMATION ONLY | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| - LEAKING Tc-99m GENERATOR CONTAMINATED AIRCRAFT AT NEWARK INTERNATIONAL |
| AIRPORT - |
| |
| At 0437 on 04/16/99, Bob Hayes of United Airlines notified the Department of |
| Transportation (DOT) National Response Center that a leaking container of |
| radioactive solid sodium molybdate (DOT Yellow III) had spilled inside an |
| aircraft that had landed at Newark International Airport (National Response |
| Center Incident Report #480533). Approximately 0.01 microcuries of material |
| had spilled. The spill was cleaned up using an industrial cleaner, with no |
| residual contamination detected. LTJG Ebner of the National Response Center |
| notified the NRC Headquarters Operations Officer (HOO) and the NJ Department |
| of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP). |
| |
| At 0654 on 04/16/99, John Feney of the NJ DEP informed the NRC HOO that the |
| container was a Tc-99m generator with a 15-curie radiation source and that |
| he was preparing to respond to the airport. He was conferenced with Region |
| I (Dan Holody) and NMSS (John Surmeier and Fred Combs). The generator was |
| enroute from Amersham Holdings, Inc., located in Arlington Heights, IL, to |
| Amersham Pharmacy located in Livingston, NJ. |
| |
| At 0721 on 04/16/99, John Marzocca of the Amersham Pharmacy located in |
| Livingston, NJ, contacted the NRC HOO to provide additional information |
| regarding the event. He was conferenced with Region I (Dan Holody, George |
| Pangburn, and Duncan White); Region III (John Jacobson); and NMSS (Fred |
| Combs and John Surmeier). |
| |
| At 0950 on 04/16/99, Joe Moon of Del-Med Trucking, Inc. (the package |
| shipper), located in South Plainfield, NJ, notified the DOT National |
| Response Center that the surface of the Type 'A' package measured 11,000 dpm |
| per 300 sq cm (0.0051 microcuries) upon arrival at the Amersham Pharmacy |
| located in Livingston, NJ (National Response Center Incident Report |
| #480547). The exposed driver and the truck were recalled and |
| decontaminated, and the aircraft has been impounded and is being |
| decontaminated. Mr. Winters of the National Response Center notified the |
| NRC HOO and the NJ DEP. |
| |
| (Contact the NRC HOO for addresses and telephone numbers.) |
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|Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 35598 |
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| REP ORG: STERIGENICS INTERNATIONAL |NOTIFICATION DATE: 04/16/1999|
|LICENSEE: STERIGENICS INTERNATIONAL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 05:38[EDT]|
| CITY: ROCKAWAY REGION: 1 |EVENT DATE: 04/16/1999|
| COUNTY: STATE: NJ |EVENT TIME: 02:15[EDT]|
|LICENSE#: AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 04/16/1999|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |DAN HOLODY R1 |
| |JOHN SURMEIER NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+FRANK CONGEL IRO |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: STEVEN ZIMMERMAN | |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: DICK JOLLIFFE | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|MAAA 36.83(a)(1) UNSHIELD STUCK SOURCE | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| -RADIATION SOURCE STUCK IN UNSHIELDED POSITION AT A COMMERCIAL IRRADIATOR |
| FOR 3 HOURS |
| |
| AT 0215 ON 04/16/99, WHILE IRRADIATING MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS AT A COMMERCIAL |
| IRRADIATOR, THE RADIATION SOURCE RACK BECAME STUCK IN THE UP (UNSHIELDED) |
| POSITION. THE SOURCE RACK CONTAINS A 2.6-MILLION-CURIE Co-60 SOURCE. AT |
| 0515, THE LICENSEE SUCCESSFULLY LOWERED THE SOURCE RACK TO ITS SHIELDED |
| POSITION AND STOPPED ALL OPERATIONS. NO PERSONNEL EXPOSURES OCCURRED AS A |
| RESULT OF THIS EVENT. |
| |
| THE LICENSEE PREVIOUSLY ENCOUNTERED A STUCK SOURCE IN AUGUST 1995. |
| MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE SOURCE RACK ON APRIL 6 AND |
| 7, 1999. THE LICENSEE IS INVESTIGATING THIS STUCK SOURCE EVENT AND PLANS TO |
| SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT OF THIS EVENT TO NRC REGION 3 WITHIN 30 DAYS. |
| |
| ******************** UPDATE AT 2006 ON 04/16/99 FROM ZIMMERMAN TO TROCINE |
| ******************** |
| |
| The licensee has been in contact with NRC Region 1 (John McGrath) regarding |
| corrective actions. |
| |
| From 1815 until 2100, the licensee tested the source rack for up and down |
| motion almost 20 times. The licensee also performed safety interlock |
| testing, and the results were satisfactory. In addition, all of the |
| bushings were replaced, and all of the guide cables for the source racks |
| were tightened. |
| |
| The licensee plans to restart tonight. |
| |
| As requested by the licensee, the NRC operations officer notified NRC Region |
| 1 (George Pangburn and John McGrath). The NRC operations officer also |
| notified the R1DO (Holody). |
| |
| (Call the NRC operations officer for a licensee contact telephone number.) |
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|Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 35599 |
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| REP ORG: U.S. ARMY (ACALA) |NOTIFICATION DATE: 04/16/1999|
|LICENSEE: U.S. ARMY (ACALA) |NOTIFICATION TIME: 10:44[EDT]|
| CITY: GERMANY REGION: |EVENT DATE: 01/15/1999|
| COUNTY: STATE: |EVENT TIME: 12:00[EST]|
|LICENSE#: 12-00722-06 AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 04/16/1999|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |JOHN JACOBSON R3 |
| |DON COOL NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: JEFF HAVENNER | |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|BAB1 20.2201(a)(1)(i) LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| THREE M43A1 CHEMICAL AGENT DETECTORS MISPLACED IN GERMANY |
| |
| The U.S. Army reported that three M43A1 chemical agent detectors, each |
| containing 250 �Ci of Am-241, had been misplaced between mid-December 1998 |
| and mid-January 1999. The detectors were issued to the 324th Signal |
| Company, and they were being deployed to an unspecified location. The |
| paperwork regarding these detectors was not completed properly, and the Army |
| believes that they are still in possession of the detectors. The U.S. Army |
| plans to contact the German government regarding this event. |
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|Power Reactor |Event Number: 35600 |
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| FACILITY: DRESDEN REGION: 3 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 04/17/1999|
| UNIT: [] [] [3] STATE: IL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:58[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] GE-1,[2] GE-3,[3] GE-3 |EVENT DATE: 04/17/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 09:59[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DAVE SLAGER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 04/17/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: LEIGH TROCINE +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JOHN JACOBSON R3 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|ADEG 50.72(b)(1)(ii) DEGRAD COND DURING OP | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
| | |
| | |
|3 N Y 99 Power Operation |99 Power Operation |
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EVENT TEXT
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| FAILURE OF A PRIMARY CONTAINMENT AIR SAMPLE RETURN ISOLATION VALVE TO MEET |
| MAXIMUM INSERVICE TEST STROKE-TIME REQUIREMENTS |
| |
| While performing quarterly valve stroke-time testing on Unit 3, a primary |
| containment air sample return isolation valve exceeded its specified maximum |
| stroke-time limit. The sample return line was isolated in accordance with |
| Technical Specification 3.7.D for primary containment isolation valves, and |
| this action satisfied the 4-hour limiting condition for operation action |
| statement requirements. The second in-line primary containment isolation |
| system valve remains operable. |
| |
| The licensee stated that no other valves failed to meet the maximum |
| stroke-time limits. The licensee also stated that, during a test that was |
| performed last month, the valve in question was identified as being in the |
| 'Alert' time range for inservice test timing requirements and that it was |
| being tested per the required increased testing frequency. Corrective |
| actions are being initiated, and troubleshooting activities are in |
| progress. |
| |
| The licensee plans to notify the NRC resident inspector. |
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|Power Reactor |Event Number: 35601 |
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| FACILITY: SUSQUEHANNA REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 04/18/1999|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: PA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 01:41[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4 |EVENT DATE: 04/17/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 22:14[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DON ROLAND |LAST UPDATE DATE: 04/18/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAN HOLODY R1 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|AIND 50.72(b)(2)(iii)(D) ACCIDENT MITIGATION | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
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| UNIT 1 HAD LESS THAN THREE OPERABLE DIESEL GENERATORS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF |
| TIME. |
| |
| During restoration from LOCA/LOOP Division 2 testing on Unit 2, which is |
| shutdown, operators inadvertently placed the 'D' Diesel Generator |
| Synchronization Auto Control Select Switch to Bypass with the 'B' Diesel |
| Generator already in Bypass per plant procedures. This action requires the |
| diesel be declared inoperable. The action was immediately identified, and |
| the switch on the 'D' Diesel was returned to Normal. The total time that |
| two diesel generators were inoperable was less than 1 minute. This left |
| Unit 1 with only the 'A' and 'C' Diesel Generators operable. |
| |
| The licensee plans to notify the NRC resident inspector. |
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|Power Reactor |Event Number: 35602 |
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| FACILITY: RIVER BEND REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 04/18/1999|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: LA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 21:08[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] GE-6 |EVENT DATE: 04/18/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 16:47[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: RUSS GODWIN |LAST UPDATE DATE: 04/18/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: LEIGH TROCINE +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |LINDA SMITH R4 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|AESF 50.72(b)(2)(ii) ESF ACTUATION | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N N 0 Refueling |0 Refueling |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| CLOSURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE CORE SPRAY DIESEL GENERATOR OUTPUT BREAKER IN |
| RESPONSE TO AN UNDERVOLTAGE CONDITION WHEN THE NORMAL SUPPLY BREAKER TRIPPED |
| OPEN |
| |
| The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from the licensee: |
| |
| "At 1647 [CDT], on April 18, 1999, with the plant in Mode 5 (Refueling), the |
| High Pressure Core Spray [(HPCS)] Diesel Generator [(DG)] output breaker |
| closed in response to an undervoltage condition on its safety-related |
| 4.16-kV bus." |
| |
| "At the time of the event, the HPCS DG was already running, unloaded, as |
| part of a planned test sequence. The undervoltage condition occurred when |
| the normal supply breaker tripped open. The HPCS DG output breaker operated |
| as designed, and the HPCS DG supplied its safety-related bus." |
| |
| "The HPCS system was inoperable when this event occurred and is not required |
| to be operable in the current plant mode." |
| |
| "The cause of the trip of the normal supply breaker is not known. [The] |
| plant staff is investigating this event, and the cause will be corrected |
| prior to returning the HPCS system to service." |
| |
| The licensee stated that all systems functioned as required in response to |
| the undervoltage condition. The licensee also stated that core alterations |
| (fuel shuffle) are in progress. |
| |
| The licensee notified the NRC resident inspector. |
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