On September 23, 2008 at approximately 1500 [EDT] the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant was shutdown and operating in the refueling mode (Mode 5). During an
ISI inspection of the
dissimilar metal weld on recirc nozzle N2-C an indication was identified. Preliminary analysis of the data indicates a flaw in the nozzle weld that extends into the 'butter', is axially oriented, approximately 0.5 inches in length and 0.4 inches in depth. There is no approved method for predicting crack growth in axially oriented flaws. Therefore, the flaw can not evaluated in accordance with
ASME Section XI. This deficiency meets reporting criterion
10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii).
At this time four of the eight N2 Recirc Nozzles have been inspected with no other flaws or indications identified. The remaining four N2 Nozzles are being inspected during this outage.
The event has been entered into the corrective action program and a Licensee Event Report (LER) will be filed within 60 Days as required by 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii).
The NRC Resident Inspector has been briefed and the state Public Service Commission (
PSC) will also be notified.
