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Event Notification Report for November 28, 2006

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/27/2006 - 11/28/2006

EVENT NUMBERS
43014

Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 43014
Rep Org: GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS
Licensee: GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS
Region: 3
City: LIMA   State: OH
County:
License #: SUB-1564
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BOYD H. ROSE
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 11/28/2006
Notification Time: 16:37 [ET]
Event Date: 11/28/2006
Event Time: 12:20 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/28/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
40.60(b)(4) - FIRE/EXPLOSION
Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
Event Text
FIRE/EXPLOSION DURING SERVICING OF M1 ABRAMS TANK TURRET

General Dynamics Land Systems services the M1 Abrams Tank at their Joint Systems Manufacturing Center located in Lima, OH. Following approved procedures, technicians removed the outer side armor followed by welders punching two (2) holes into the depleted uranium armor package. When the technician inserted a hydrogen probe, a detonation occurred causing a flame to eject through the holes. The flame struck the technician on his Tyvek coveralls but did not cause any injury. A rad survey of the area confirmed minor contamination inside the armor cavity and on the floor adjacent to the right side of the turret armor cavity. Decontamination of the floor is ongoing, however, the armor cavity will be resealed as a contaminated volume.