Road accident with a LH2 tanker

A liquid hydrogen tanker had an accident on a highway. The tank was containing only with gaseous hydrogen. When going into curve, the tanker started to weave and pushed to side of road. It rolled about 40 feet downhill; the tank rolled over 1.5 times and tractor once, ending in up­ right position with driver still in seat. The tractor was a complete loss but little damage was incurred by the tanker. Trailer shell was satisfactory with normal venting through the stack. The rear cabinet doors were warped shut.

The INITIATING CAUSE was a roll-over during travelling.

Accident occurred on bad road, steep with many sharp curves. The driver was going too fast for road conditions and type of trailer being pulled.

The ROOT CAUSE was an error of the driver.

tanker

oCmplete loss of the tractor, negligible damage to tanker

The Inspection for Classified Facilities noted these facts and requested from the operator an analysis of the causes of the event, as well as the corrective actions taken or planned.

This event could be classified also as a near miss character of this event, with no consequence except a release through the vent, as safety mitigating measure according to design. Moreover, NASA reported that it was containing only gaseous hydrogen, very probably because travelling after delivery. The consequences would have been very different in case of damaging (puncturing, smashing) of the shell, followed by LH2 release.

A recommendation would be that an awareness training for drivers should be a more effective explanation of the explosive characteristics of what they are carrying, to work as warning on being very cautious, especially when road characteristics increase the hazards.