Abstract: A portion of pipeline from Billings, MT, to Rawling, WY, carrying JP-4 jet fuel at 400 psi, was being resurfaced with a hot coating. The pipe was exposed in a 5 1/2 feet wide by 3 1/2 feet deep trench. Employee #1 was operating a Caterpillar side boom tractor approximately 12 feet from the near edge of the trench. When the pipe was picked up, a welded joint failed, and the jet fuel ignited when the fumes reached the open burner in the pipe coating machine. Employee #1 died as a result of burns. Other equipment in use at the site included a Remco LM 612 pipe scraping machine and a pipe wrapping machine that was burnt beyond recognition.