Headquarters Daily Report MARCH 28, 1996 *************************************************************************** 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 III MARCH 28, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Non-Licensee MR Number: 3-96-0033 Willow Run Airport/Plane Crash Date: 03/21/96 Ypsilanti,Michigan MICHIGAN RADIATION HEALTH (CONT)... License No: NONE Subject: CONTAMINATION DUE TO DAMAGED ICE DETECTION PROBE-UPDATE .....NOTIFIED NRC ON 03-21-96 BY TELEPHONE. Discussion: On March 17, 1996, a Russian-designed Albatross L-39C aircraft landed at the Willow Run airport with its wheels up due to pilot error. During the landing, an ice detection device containing a radiation source in an ice detection probe in the nose of the aircraft was damaged, contaminating parts of the runway and the aircraft. Based on contacts between NRC International Programs and the Russian government, the material was determined to be Strontium-90 and Yttrium-90, in a quantity of about 4-5 microcuries. The contamination on the runway is limited to an area approximately 30 centimeters wide and 3 meters long, with several hot spots ranging from 4,000 dpm per 100 square centimeters to 24,000 dpm per 100 square centimeters. One additional area was also found on the runway containing about 24,000 dpm in a hot spot that was probably less than 10 square centimeters. The aircraft has several areas of contamination, ranging up to 80,000 dpm per 100 square centimeters. The highest area was decontaminated to under 600 dpm per 100 square centimeters. The aircraft was manufactured by Aero Vodochody in the Chech Republic, and imported into the United States from a state of the former Soviet Union in 1993 by Starfighter Aerospace Company, Inc., of Mineral Wells, Texas. That company no longer operates in Mineral Wells. This aircraft was subsequently purchased from Starfighters by International Jet of Gadsen, Alabama, and then sold to an individual in Michigan, who was flying the aircraft to Michigan when the crash occurred. Neither the individual nor International Jet were aware the aircraft contained a radioactive component. Based on information provided by International Jet, several of these aircraft were imported into the United States by Starfighter Aerospace, and subsequently resold to individuals. It is not known whether all of these aircraft still contain the ice detection probe that houses the Strontium-90 and Yttrium-90. The owner of the aircraft is working with a local repair company to obtain decontamination services for the aircraft. The Michigan Department of Radiological Health is determining whether actions should be taken to decontaminate the runway based on a dose calculation given the low activity and the fact that all of the material is fixed. Alabama Radiation Health authorities have been notified of the possession of the aircraft by International Jet. This information is current as of 9:50 a.m. (CST), March 28, 1996. Contact: JOHN JONES (708)829-9832 MONTE PHILLIPS (708)829-9806 _ REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 MARCH 28, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Commonwealth Edison Co. MR Number: 3-96-0034 Braidwood 1 Date: 03/28/96 Braceville,Illinois RI PC Dockets: 50-456 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: BRAIDWOOD UNIT 1 RETURN TO SERVICE Discussion: The licensee shut down Unit 1 on March 8, 1996, due to an inoperable 125 VDC battery. The battery was completely replaced with spare AT&T round cells received from Byron Station and was declared operable on March 20, 1996. Unit 1 was returned to service on March 27, 1996. The reactor was made critical at 1:49 (CST) a.m. and the turbine was synchronized to the grid at 9:54 a.m. (CST). Regional Action: The resident inspectors are observing the plant startup. Contact: L.F. MILLER, JR. (708)829-9629 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 MARCH 28, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Power Resources, Inc. MR Number: 4-96-0029 Highland Uranium Project Date: 03/26/96 S. Powder River,Wyoming Dockets: 04008857 License No: SUA-1511 Subject: Spill of Production Fluid on Site Property Discussion: On March 26, 1996, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality notified the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) that approximately 70,000 gallons of pregnant lixiviant (uranium-bearing fluid recovered from production wells) had spilled on the ground in a wellfield at the Power Resources, Inc. (licensee) Highland facility on or about January 20, 1996. The spill was not detected by operators until January 21, 1996. Subsequent reviews of the January 20, 1996, recorder data identified a small fluctuation in pressure monitor records for the wellfield, which would appear to indicate the start of the event. Extreme cold temperatures in the area resulted in freezing of the fluid, and ice in the area of the spill was collected and sampled by the licensee on January 20, 1996. Actions were initiated to contain the area and to protect the area from spread of the fluid as temperatures began to warm. Fluid in the area was recovered as the ice began to melt. Analysis of the ice samples revealed low levels of uranium and radium. The licensee has taken additional soil samples from the area and is analyzing the samples for uranium and radium content. The licensee has determined that the leak resulted from separation of a union between three well heads and plastic piping that feeds the lixiviant from each well to a common header. The licensee reported that failure of the unions is rare and is still evaluating the root cause. The licensee confirmed its intent to examine unions on the remaining wells in this field during a teleconference with NMSS and Region IV staff on March 27. Regional Action: The licensee's evaluation and response will be reviewed as further information is made available by the licensee, and a detailed review will be performed during the next routine inspection, currently scheduled for mid-May, 1996. Contact: Linda Howell (817)860-8213 Joseph Holonick (301)415-7238 _