CSB team to investigate Accurate Energetic Systems explosion

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced today it is deploying a team to investigate the fatal explosion that occurred Oct. 10 at the Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC (AES) facility in Humphreys County, Tennessee.

According to local officials, the incident resulted in 16 fatalities, several serious injuries, and severe damage to the facility.

The AES facility manufactured explosive products for the defense and commercial markets.

CSB requesting information about facility, operations

The CSB said its team will arrive at the incident scene this week. Until recently, site access was restricted while it was under the control of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) while the ATF was analyzing the debris field and removing undetonated explosives and other hazardous materials from the site.

The CSB has been in regular contact with the ATF since the explosion and is deploying investigators now that the ATF has completed its activities and returned control of the site back to AES.

“This is one of the deadliest industrial incidents in our country in years,” said Steve Owens, CSB chairperson. “CSB investigators will conduct an initial assessment of the incident location and will be meeting with AES management, the ATF, and other officials to identify the information necessary to determine the cause of this horrific event.”

The CSB also has been communicating with AES and has requested a range of information and materials from the company about the facility and its operations.

ATF offers preliminary conclusion

The ATF estimated that between 24,000 to 28,000 pounds of explosives detonated on the day of the incident.

The ATF has preliminarily concluded that the blast originated in an area of the facility where mixed explosive materials were heated in production kettles.

According to the ATF, other explosive materials located on the same floor of the facility also exploded after the original blast.