Headquarters Daily Report

                         MARCH 14, 1996

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                    REPORT             NEGATIVE            NO INPUT
                    ATTACHED           INPUT RECEIVED      RECEIVED

HEADQUARTERS                           û                   
REGION I                               û                   
REGION II           û                                      
REGION III                             û                   
REGION IV                              û                   
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED  MORNING REPORT - REGION II  MARCH 14, 1996

Licensee/Facility:                     Notification:

                                       MR Number: 2-96-0019
University Of Virginia                 Date: 03/14/96
Charlottesville,Virginia                                                  
Dockets: 05000062 License No: R-66         

Subject: SHUTDOWN OF REACTOR DUE TO DEBRIS LANDING ON CORE               

Discussion:

An operator at the University of Virginia manually shut down the reactor 
at about 10:30 a.m. on March 13, 1996, during startup when fluctuations  
of about 0.2 MW in the linear and intermediate power channels were       
observed. The power level of the reactor never exceeded the authorized   
maximum power level for the UVAR of 2 MW. The core was inspected and a   
paper towel was found lying on the top of the core. Visual inspection of 
the core and sampling of water confirmed that no fuel damage had         
occurred. The paper towel apparently permitted water to pass through but 
with some increased resistance to flow. The observed power fluctuations  
were attributed to changes in water temperature in the affected fuel     
element which resulted in changes in reactivity. The event was not       
reportable per the licensee's procedures or Technical Specifications but 
the licensee informed the NRC as a courtesy.                             

Regional Action:

Region II and NRR have discussed the event and confirmed that the        
licensee has taken the following actions to prevent recurrence: 1) staff 
instructed to keep foreign materials away from the pool border, 2) the   
pool was searched for other debris and none was found, 3) the areas      
surrounding the pool were examined and materials that could inadvertently
drop into the pool were removed, and 4) a checklist was developed to     
identify anything that could get into the pool and remove the item as    
necessary.  Inspection followup will occur during the next routine       
inspection of the facility.                                              

Contact:  C. BASSETT                 (404)331-5570
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