The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 16 March 2023.
Third party damage to a natural gas pipeline
Manitoba Hydro
Minell Pipelines Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro)
Minell 6-inch natural gas pipeline
Near McAuley, Manitoba
The occurrence
On , at approximately 1518 Central Daylight Time, the Minell Pipeline, a 6-inch natural gas pipeline operated by Manitoba Hydro, was struck by the blade of a farm tractor as it was scraping the ground in an agricultural field near McAuley, Manitoba. The pipeline ruptured and released approximately 84 000 m³ of natural gas. The released gas did not ignite and no evacuation was required. No one was injured.
Media materials
News release
TSB releases investigation report into 2021 natural gas pipeline rupture in Manitoba
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys team following damage to a pipeline near McAuley, Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 6 October 2021 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to the site of a pipeline occurrence near McAuley, Manitoba. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
P21H0143
Third party damage to a natural gas pipeline
Manitoba Hydro
Minell Pipelines Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro)
Minell 6-inch natural gas pipeline
Near McAuley, Manitoba
Investigator-in-charge
Adam McRae is an Engineering Specialist/ Senior Investigator, Pipeline. He previously worked at Natural Resources Canada, where he was conducting oil and gas air emission research. Prior to this, Adam spent 5 years in Calgary, Alberta, designing, building, and commissioning oil and gas flow measurement equipment both in Canada and internationally. He was previously based in Shanghai, China, with engineering consultancy Golder Associates working on a variety of projects, mainly in mining and environmental assessment. Mr. McRae holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.