---

Security Issues

In the wake of the September 11th terrorist activities, the security of U.S. civil aviation passengers, aircraft, and airports has become a national priority. Materials transported in the cargo holds of passenger-carrying flights are related to these security concerns –- including hazardous materials known as hazmat. Examples of hazmat include wheelchair batteries, dry ice, corrosive materials, and containers of non-flammable gas.

Airline dispatchers are required to provide specific load and weight-and-balance information to flight crews before flight, including the location of any hazmat. It is crucial to safe flight operations that load information be declared and accurate, as this is the only means the flight crew has of knowing what cargo is on board and where to find it.

An informal review of pre-September 11th ASRS hazmat reports revealed that most incidents had one or more of the following factors in common:

• Undeclared hazmat
  
  
• Illegible load manifests
  
  
• Inaccurate load manifests
  
  
• Unsafe handling of hazmat

The following report excerpts illustrate the range of problems identified.

Undeclared Hazmat

• Upon arriving, it was discovered that a battery had been loaded onto my aircraft. The labeling of the battery indicated that it was a 12-volt automotive battery. The battery was tagged as a piece of checked baggage. The battery was not in a battery box nor was it carried as part of a wheelchair. Further, no mention of the battery was made on the [load] manifest. At no time prior to arriving was the crew made aware that we were carrying this hazmat. The owner of the battery was not even on my flight. The owner had actually arrived at [destination airport] the day before and made a claim for the lost battery. On the claim itself he described his lost bag as a "boat battery"! From the ticket agent to all the rampers who handled the battery, I'm stunned that nobody refused this shipment.

Illegible Load Manifests

A DC-10 flight crew returned to their airport of origin when the source of a strong odor could not be identified inflight. After the aircraft was met by the rescue squad, the crew secured and exited the aircraft. But their problems were only beginning...

• Even though the yellow pouch that contained the hazmat paperwork was presented to the rescue squad, the illegibility of some of the individual 5-part forms failed to satisfy their requirements due to a lack of specificity. We were quarantined at the aircraft for an extended period of time, arriving at the hospital approximately 4 hours after egress...

Lessons learned: Specialists who prepare load manifests need to make hazmat paperwork legible, and flight crews need to review this paperwork for legibility and content prior to flight.

Inaccurate Load Manifests

A B757 Captain reported another aircraft diversion incident to the ASRS due to an equipment overheat indication. Once the aircraft was safely on the ground, the flight crew made a chilling discovery:

• ...On arrival at our gate, our forward cargo compartment was found to be "frozen." Our hazmat slip indicated we had dry ice on board. We had 21 pieces each weighing 22 lbs. We thought they meant 2.2 lb., as that is the lb. weight of a kilogram. This was interpreted as 46.2 lb...which is far less than the authorized 440 lbs. that our B757's are allowed to carry. Our hazmat slip should have indicated either kilograms or liters, but we assumed the 22 lb. weight to be a courtesy conversion of a kilogram to lbs. by our cargo personnel. Our assumption was wrong, and should have prompted an inquiry as to the exact weight of the dry ice. In the future, I will assume nothing... I also believe that a visual confirmation of the cargo is a good idea...

Unsafe Handling of Hazmat

• FAA Inspector found 1 of 3 hazmat boxes that were ready to load onboard had a puncture. He advised the Crew Chief of the damage. I advised the Crew Chief that he should at least tape the hole. At departure time the FAA inspector went back downstairs and observed that the box had been taped in violation of FARs and [said he] intended to issue a violation... I apologized to the inspector for asking that the Crew Chief tape the box. He said that the Crew Chief should have known better and that the box needed repackaging. A second violation will be forthcoming, according to the FAA inspector, for the way the 3 boxes were placed in the forward cargo compartment. Evidently they were not secured with ropes until [the inspector] asked the Crew Chief...

Transportation of dangerous goods by air requires proper packaging and rigorous adherence to safety requirements, especially in these times of heightened national security awareness.