Episodes

  • 54: Midland Resource Recovery

    54: Midland Resource Recovery
    Jun 25 2024
    In 2017 during an Odoriser decontamination procedure in West Virginia, two people were killed when it unexpectedly exploded. Barely a month later, a similar procedure at the same site led to a second explosion, killing someone else. We examine how poor hazard analysis and legal interference led to yet another fatality...right in front of the eyes of the investigators on site.
    With John Chidgey.

    Formal Report:

    • Midland Resource Recovery Explosion
    • Midland Resource Recovery Factual Update (PDF)
    • Improving Reaction Hazard Management (PDF)

    News Releases and Articles:

    • Chemical Tank Explosion in Barbour County Kills Two Employees Plus One Severely Injured
    • One Dead After Another Explosion at Midland Resource Recovery
    • Midland Resources Recovery Explosion Kills 2, Injures 1
    • McDonald Volunteer Fire Chief Laid To Rest After W.Va. Explosion
    • Widow Blames Natural Gas Odorization Company for Husband’s Death
    • CSB releases final report on explosions at Midland Resource Recovery Facility
    • Midland Resource Recovery Explosion 2017
    • Second Fatal Explosion at Midland Resources Recovery

    General Information:

    • About Midland Resource Recovery
    • The Growing Importance of Mercaptans
    • Sodium Hypochlorite (PDF)
    • Principles of Natural Gas Odorization (PDF)
    • Attorney-Work Product Privilege

    Support Causality on Patreon

    Episode Gold Producers: 'r', Steven Bridle and Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto.
    Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring and Ian Gallagher.
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    28 mins
  • 53: Callide C Blackout

    53: Callide C Blackout
    Mar 30 2024
    In 2021 the Callide C Power Station experienced a unit failure that tore the turbine-generator apart, resulted in hundreds of thousands of premises losing power, and cost hundreds of millions to repair. We look at how design errors and ultimately a lack of information led to the incident escalating out of control, when it could have been recovered.With John Chidgey.Formal Reports: Callide Unit C4 Turbine Generator Failure 25 May 2021 (PDF)Animation of the Callide Unit C4 incidentTrip of multiple generators and lines in Central Queensland and associated under-frequency load shedding on 25 May 2021 (PDF) News Releases and Articles: CS Energy releases report into 2021 Callide C4 Unit FailureCS Energy releases technical report into 2021 Unit C4 incidentDr Sean Brady to lead independent investigation into Callide incidentBattery failure led to power plant mass outageBoth units trip at Callide C on Wednesday 13th January 2021Statement regarding IG PowerIntergen voluntary administrationReport says Callide C4 incident “could not have been anticipated”Callide explosion blamed on battery charger failureCallide Power Trading taken to court over system failureCS Energy says insurers won’t agree to $300m claim over power stationJim Soorley stands down from CS EnergyCS Energy Post about Incident on LinkedIn Super-Critical Boilers: Super-Critical Boiler Technology (PDF)Supercritical FluidsSupercritical Coal Plants Electrical Engineering References: Hydrogen-cooled Turbo GeneratorReverse Active Power Protection (ANSI 32P) Court Action: Alleged failure to obtain regulatory approval to operate a generating systemNotice of Filing: Australian Energy Regulator v Callide Power Trading Pty Ltd (PDF)Coal generator to face court over blackouts caused by catastrophic explosion General Information: Callide Power StationStanwell Power StationTarong Power StationCallide Power StationCS Energy: Water Management NOTE: Minor Corrections in audio updated: 31st March, 2024 Support Causality on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared Roman, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Ian Gallagher.
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    51 mins
  • 52: Colonial Pipeline

    52: Colonial Pipeline
    Dec 9 2023
    In 2021 many of Colonial Pipelines IT systems were locked by malware and out of caution they shutdown the fuel pipelines feeding nearly half of the Eastern US leading to chaos at the gas pump and a state of emergency being declared. We look at how poor off-boarding hygiene led to an easily preventable cyber-attack.
    With John Chidgey.

    Hearing:

    • Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives Transcript
    • Threats to Critical Infrastructure: Examining the Colonial Pipeline Cyber-Attack (PDF)
    • Charles Carmakal Statement from Hearing (PDF)

    General Information:

    • Colonial Pipeline
    • Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack
    • How Three Major Cyber Attacks Could Have Been Prevented
    • What IT security teams can learn from the Colonial Pipeline
    • Evolution of the Chief Information Security Officer
    • US Fuel Pipeline Hackers Statement
    • DarkSide
    • DarkSide Leaks Press Center (X)
    • DarkSide Ransomware Gang Behind Pipeline Hack Quits
    • TSA Renews Cyber-Security Guidelines for Pipelines
    • DHS Announces New Cybersecurity Requirements for Critical Pipeline Owners and Operators
    • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
    • Emergency Declaration for 17 States

    Support Causality on Patreon

    Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.
    Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared Roman, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Dave Jones, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Ian Gallagher.
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    26 mins
  • 51: I35 West

    51: I35 West
    Aug 27 2023
    The I35W bridge over the Mississippi River carried 140,000 cars every day. Inspections in 1999 and 2003 showed damage to support plates that was dismissed as unimportant at the time. We look into how poor design checking and assumptions led to the bridge collapsing in 2007, costing the lives of 13 people.
    With John Chidgey.

    This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

    Only a Handful of T-Shirts Left!

    Reports:

    • Collapse of I-35W Highway Bridge Minneapolis, Minnesota August 1, 2007 (PDF)

    General Information:

    • I-35W Mississippi River bridge
    • URS Corporation
    • Sverdrup & Parcel
    • Gusset Plate

    Articles:

    • Design errors factor in 2007 bridge collapse
    • NTSB releases final report
    • Despite final NTSB report, some still have questions

    Videos:

    • Inside a Catastrophic Minneapolis Bridge Collapse (YouTube)

    Litigation:

    • NTSB is wrong about cause of bridge collapse
    • Last Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Lawsuit Settled For $52.4 Million

    Support Causality on Patreon

    Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.
    Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared Roman, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Dave Jones and Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto.

    With thanks to Joe Stariha for the topic suggestion.
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    36 mins
  • 50: 737 MAX Ethiopian Air

    50: 737 MAX Ethiopian Air
    Apr 22 2023
    Five months after Lion Air 610 crashed, another 737-MAX went down with a similar cause. However the official report was at odds with two other internationally respected investigative organisations. We dig into the detail of how the AOA Sensor was claimed to have failed, and review checklist discrepancies to extract fact from opinion as to what most likely triggered this horrible chain of events.With John Chidgey.This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced Celebrating Causality’s 50th Episode!! Previous Episode: Causality Episode 33: 737 MAX Reports: EAIB: Aircraft Accident Investigation Report B737- MAX 8, ET-AVJ December 2022 (PDF)US Comments: ET302 Report March 2022 (PDF)US Comments: Response to EAIB Final Report (PDF)BEA: Accident du Boeing 737 immatriculé ET-AVJ et exploité par Ethiopian Airlines survenu le 10/03/2019 près de BishoftuBEA: Incidents to the Boeing 737 - 800 registered F-GZHO operated by Transavia France on 07/02/2018 at Norwich (United Kingdom) and 08/02/2018 at Paris-OrlyBEA: Incidents to the Boeing 737 - 800 registered F-GZHO operated by Transavia France (PDF)ICAO Annex 13: Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation (PDF) General Information: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302Addis Ababa Bole International AirportJomo Kenyatta International AirportRotation (Aeronautics)Ground Proximity Warning SystemBoeing 737 MAX GroundingsFederal Aviation AdministrationImpact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on AviationFinancial Impact of the Boeing 737 MAX GroundingsICAON1 and N2March 10, 2019 Historical Weather at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, EthiopiaET-AVJ Flight Tracking and HistoryCollins AOA Systems (PDF)Auto-Throttle and Auto-ThrustB737 Autothrottle (A/T) Normal and Non-Normal OperationsAirworthiness Directives Articles: The BEA Weighs In: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302Controversy Surrounds Final Report on Ethiopian Air Flight 302More Omissions In Ethiopian 737 MAX ReportUS NTSB Criticises Ethiopian MAX ReportHouse passes bill to reform plane certification process after two Boeing 737 Max crashesGovernment of Canada introduces additional requirements to allow for the return to service of the Boeing 737 MAX - Canada.caEASA Decision Not to Adopt FAA AD 2020-24-02 (PDF) Regulations: Aircraft Certification Reform and Accountability ActFAA Proposes New Policy that Would Fulfill One of the Key Requirements of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act | Federal Aviation AdministrationPost MCAS Law ChangesBoeing 737 Airworthiness DirectivesAirworthiness Directive 2018-23-51 (PDF)Airworthiness Directive 2020-24-02 (PDF)FAA: Boeing 737 MAX Reading RoomTransport Canada: Boeing 737-MAX-8 Litigation: Boeing to pay more than $2.5 billion to settle criminal conspiracy charge over 737 MaxBoeing Charged with 737 Max Fraud Conspiracy and Agrees to Pay over $2.5 BillionBoeing Directors Settle Shareholder Lawsuit Over 737 MAX Crashes For $237.5 MillionBoeing: Directors to face investor lawsuit over fatal crashesBoeing, FAA slammed in House report over deadly 737 Max failuresBoeing agrees deal with families of Ethiopia crash victimsBoeing to compensate victims in Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash Support Causality on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared Roman, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Dave Jones and Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto.
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    52 mins
  • 49: Carmel Fireworks Explosion

    49: Carmel Fireworks Explosion
    Jan 18 2023
    A fireworks company in Western Australia that had been in business for nearly a century, were preparing for a fireworks display in their packing shed when one ignited and set off a fire and an explosion. Onlookers were shocked when there was a subsequent explosion that was so big it was heard 30 kilometers away leaving the facility in ruins.
    With John Chidgey.

    This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

    Celebrating Causality’s 50th Episode!!

    Reports:

    • Report of the investigation into the fireworks accident at Carmel, Western Australia (PDF)
    • Fire and Explosions at a Fireworks Storage Depot (PDF)

    Links of Interest:

    • Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
    • Explosives Magazine Storage and Use
    • Net Explosive Quantity
    • Class 1 Dangerous Goods Explosive Substances and Articles
    • Cardile Fireworks

    News Articles:

    • Carmel fireworks incident report has global implications
    • Perth fireworks factory explodes
    • A Fireworks Factory Exploded In Perth’s Hills (VIDEO)

    About Pyrotechnics:

    • The Illustrated Dictionary of Pyrotechnics (PDF)
    • List of Pyro Chemicals and Terms
    • Display Fireworks Glossary
    • Pyrostar Glossary
    • Fireworks Stars and Shells Garnitures
    • All you wanted to know about fireworks fuses

    Support Causality on Patreon

    Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.
    Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Kevin Koch, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Dave Jones and Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto.

    With thanks to Heather Shaw for the topic suggestion.
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    29 mins
  • 48: Instituto Goiano de Radioterapia

    48: Instituto Goiano de Radioterapia
    Nov 18 2022
    When a radiation therapy machine was left behind during a move between buildings in central Brazil, it set in motion a series of events that would lead to one of the worst radiological incidents in history. We look into how bureaucracy and misdiagnosis cost four people their lives and how the actions of a concerned mother with no medical experience, saved the lives of countless more.With John Chidgey.This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced Create your own Credited Soundbite Official Report: The Radiological Accident in Goiânia (PDF) Links of Interest: Goiânia AccidentIGR - Instituto Goiano de RadiologiaTeletherapy CapsuleBecquerelThe Goiânia IncidentCaesiumGray Other Reports and Articles: The most rambling and insane nuclear accident in history (Italian)Doctors and the radioactive accident (Portugese)Notes on nuclear energy. What lawyers should know about nuclear technology (Spanish)Goiânia Brazil 1987 - Rick On TheaterCaesium Radiation Goiania Brazil - 1102The blue powder entranced…then it killed…The Response to Technological Accidents: The Case of Radioactive Accident in Goiania (PDF) (Portugese) News Articles: Victims of Radiation Ostracised in BrazilA Brazilian burglar stole a capsule…The Perception of Individuals Involved in the Accident With Caesium-137Two Radiation Victims DieThe Goiâna Incident - NCT Magazine Related Incidents: List of orphan source incidentsSamut Prakan radiation accidentOrigin of Cobalt-60 traced to Delhi University1962 Mexico City radiation accident Support Causality on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Kevin Koch, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Dave Jones and Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto.With thanks to Shane O'Neill for the topic suggestion.
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    33 mins
  • 47: Hyatt Regency Kansas City

    47: Hyatt Regency Kansas City
    Jul 15 2022
    The tallest building in Missouri with a large atrium perfect for big bands and dancing, hosted a regular Tea Dance in the summer of 1981. When two walkways collapsed killing over a hundred people, the investigators found multiple fundamental design errors. We look at how assumptions, redrafting conventions and negligence led to an incident that has become the case study in how not to do civil structural design.With John Chidgey.This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced Create your own Credited Soundbite Links of Interest: Tea danceFast-track constructionSheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown CenterHyatt Regency Walkway CollapseStrength Requirements by GradesAll Thread RodWide Flange Beam Dimensions ChartObituary for Jack D. GillumHotel Horror from Kansas City HistoryThe Engineer of Record and Design Responsibility Engineering Analysis: Investigation of the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Walkways Collapse (Link to PDF)Understanding the Tragic Hyatt Regency Walkway CollapseHyatt Regency Walkway Collapse 1981Hyatt Regency Walkway CollapseThe Hyatt Regency Disaster RevisitedHyatt Regency Walkway CollapseEthics in Engineering Practice and Research by Caroline WhitbeckChronology And Context Of The Hyatt Regency Collapse by Gregory P. Luth (PDF) News Articles: The Kansas City Hyatt Disaster 30 Years LaterCollapse Did Not Involve Safety ViolationsWalkway Swayed To The Rhythm Of Dancers18th July 1981 Hyatt collapseHyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse Memorial Dedicated In 20151981 Hyatt Regency Walkway CollapseHyatt Regency Collapse Remains Among The Deadliest In USA HistoryEngineers Are Held At Fault In 1981 Hotel Disaster Support Causality on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Kevin Koch, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Hafthor, Jared, Bill, Joel Maher, Katharina Will and Dave Jones.
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    42 mins