PNO-I-93-049, on 930903,fuel Assembly Dropped Vertical Distance of Approx 50-80 Inches Causing grapple-closed Indication on Refueling Bridge to Illuminate.No Radiation Alarms Received.Licensee Conducting Investigation of Event
| ML20057A106 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 09/03/1993 |
| From: | Kelly G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-93-049, PNO-I-93-49, NUDOCS 9309130053 | |
| Download: ML20057A106 (2) | |
i DCS No: 50271930903
. Date: September 3,1993
... p.
o PRELIMINAitY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PN1-9349 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region I staff on this date.
- Fwility:
Licensee Emergency Classification:
Vennont Yankee Nuclear Power Corpontion X
Notification of Unusual Event Vemon, Vennont Alert l
Site Area Emergency General Emergency Not Applicable Docket No.: 50-271 License No.: DPR-28 Event No.: 26020 l
Event Location Code: POW
Subject:
DROPPED FUEL BUNDLE On September 3,1993, at approximately 12:23 p.m., during refueling activities, a fuel assembly was dropped a vertical distance of approximately 50-80 inches. The fuel assembly had been in the coie for thme operating cycles, and was being withdrawn from the reactor vessel (underwater) when a " minor -
jolt" was felt on the refueling bridge. Approximately 2 to 3 seconds later, the assembly fell back into the vessel in an upright position and to its original location within the core. No debris was obsened visually on top of the com and the assembly's bale handle was intact. The grapple-closed indication on
[
the bridge was (and remains) illuminated, with no indication of the grapple being separated from the
. main hoist.
No mdiation alanns were received, but the refueling floor and drywell were evacuated and an Unusual Event was declared at 12:50 p.m. A momentary increase in offgas activity was experienced. Dose rates indicated on the refueling floor did not chmnge above nonnal background as a result of the event. A 3-man monitoring team dispatched to the refueling floor confinned visual observations of the bundle and grapple condition,as well as no changes in radiological conditions on the refueling floor. Fuel movement l
has been suspended, and the licensee is conducting an investigation of the event, and keeping NRC staff 5
updated. The ' Unusual Event was terminated at 3:30 p.m. based upon stable conditions.
Two resident inspectors and a regional project engineer am onsite and following up the event.
j The States of Vennont, New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have been notified.
The licensee issued a press release and the Region I Public Affairs is prepared to respond to media inquiries. This notification is current as of 3:45 p.m. on September 3,1993.
CONTACT:
Gene Kelly (215) 337-5183 I h 9309130053 9309o3 F
PDR I&E PNO-1-93-o49 pyg
't m
i oiAPINo: 50273930903 Date: September 3,1993 PREllMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PN1-9349 DISTRIBUTION:
OWFN MNBB L-SJ.
EL Mail:
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Comm. Rogers IRM Comm. Remick OIG NRC Ops Ctr Comm. de Planque GJ ! g ffn, OCAA INPO** /j liS[m OIP NSAC**
.OPA NRR** (Phone Verif: A. Byrdsong 964-1168 or 964-1166)
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OSP Regional Offices RI Resident Office EWW
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OIG Licensee:
(Reactor Licensees)
- Geural la1 for sendmg PNs by FAX f
Region I Form 83 (Rev. August 1993) l 1
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