Investigation of Igniter Composition Fire, Bay 9 Building G-11, Lonestar Army Ammunition Plant, 15 May 1991

摘要

An explosion occurred in bay 9, building G-11, Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant (AAP), Texarkana, TX, at approximately 1417, 15 May 1991. There were no injuries or deaths. Building G-11 was being used to remotely mix 45 pounds of igniter mix. The igniter mix is used in the tracer element of the 120mm family of tank gun ammunition. All items are produced under third-party contract by Day & Zimmermann, Inc. Operations prior to the explosion proceeded normally. The operator had completed one batch of igniter mix earlier in the day. He was mixing the second batch of the day and remotely dumping it onto the dial table when the incident occurred. The physical evidence and examination of the videotape indicate ignition took place outside the mixing bowl on the dial table. The reaction was centered on the draw-off dial between the 11 o'clock and 2 o'clock position. This is indicated by the bending of the dial table, other physical evidence, and the high-speed videotape. This caused a hot spot between the 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock position resulting in the ignition of mix on the dial. This resulted in propagation to the remaining mix on the dial, in the collection containers, and in the mixer. The ignition may be attributable to either electrostatic discharge or friction and heat.