NASA ARC Internal Memo: Mishap at N229 on April 11, 2013

Subject: Mishap at N229 on April 11, 2013.
From: Centerwide Announcement
Date: April 12, 2013

TO: Resident Staff

FROM: Charles W. Duff II, Director, Center Operations and Michel Liu, Director of Safety and Mission Assurance

SUBJECT: Mishap at N229 on April 11, 2013.

In our efforts to ensure Ames facilities support enabling Agency mission objectives, we periodically deconstruct older structures to pave the way for modern, efficient and cost-effective ones. We refer to this process as “site preparation”. This process is critical to our ability to respond to Agency priorities and mission work, as well as our ability to retain and grow our roles for which Ames has been acknowledged as the Agency leader. Occasionally, when undergoing this process, we experience mishaps. On April 11, 2013, a sphere, which was being removed near the Arc Jet Facility, collapsed at an unplanned point in the process. Fortunately, no one was hurt; however, N229 suffered damage that will require investment to repair.

Ames has been very fortunate to have few mishaps, due in part to the diligence of our facilities and safety professionals who maintain excellent project success and safety. When mishaps do occur, we conduct a thoughtful investigation to understand what happened to enhance safety and prevent future incidents. Through proper planning, adequate safety margins and thoughtful conduct of our critical but often dangerous work, we keep ourselves out of harm’s way. It reminds us that everyone at the Center; Civil Servant, Contractor, visitor or other, plays an important role in keeping us all safe.