Road accident with a LH2 tanker

The accident occurred on highway with a loaded LH2 tanker. the trailer started to jack­ knife after driver applied brakes, it swung around 180° and continued to slide into the shoulder. The trailer separated from the tractor, turned over in the ditch and continued to slide about 80 feet on its side. The kingpin flange tore loose from the trailer; trailer remained upright and did not suffered any damage. Some time after accident, safety discs opened and the liquid hydrogen was dumped into snow and mud.
The LH2 was emptied about 1 hour after the discs ruptured.
[Ordin, NASA (1974)]

The INITIATING CAUSE was a loss of control of the vehicle on a highway.
The driver noted a car in the lane traveling at slow speed; he started to apply the brakes, which caused causing the trailer to jack-knife. He applied more power, and the trailer swung 180° to the right side leading the tractor.

Light snow was falling, and the road was wet. There was a strong wind, but no chain warning, and the driver stated he was not speeding.

The ROOT CAUSE was an error of the driver. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR were harsh environmental conditions on the road.

burst disc

Light snow was falling and the road was wet. There was a strong wind, but no chain warning

Edeskudy assumed a standard a standard capacity of 3,000 gallons (50 m3) capacity unit, although Ordin does not report it. This correspond to a nominal laod of 3480 kg of hydrogen.