Loading Errors Quotes
"I've spent the last 2 years in load control and have seen the following errors:
- wrong aircraft registration (so wrong dry operating weight/index)
- wrong pallet weight
- wrong pallet(s) brought out to aircraft
- pallets loaded in wrong position"
"I have witnessed many a time when we took off grossly overweight for various
mistakes. I recall an incident where the airline I worked for took off 10
tons over the MTOW (a loader had forgotten to empty the belly holds!) and
the crew failed to spot it. On a 147.4t SMTOW, this is a fairly large
percentage !"
"Having witnessed also the eagerness of exporters to declare lower weights,
with agents willing to "accommodate", it does surprise me we have not had
more accidents related to weight problems."
"It is not only different countries, it can also be different carriers within the same country using different standards
It is the standards of the operator of the aircraft that are used for weight and balance purposes. So even if a passenger is through checked on from one flight to another, there could well be different standard weights used. The system counts number of passengers (often split into Male, Female, Child and Infant) and multiplies by the standard weights for the loadsheet"
These are some of the unsolicited comments I have received on the topic of aircraft loading errors.
I have one more. Asian (Unnamed) carrier agent loaded all the cargo on one side of B744 without crew checking actual loading. Made for interesting conversation after takeoff. The result of investigation? Boeing, when queried by company, said flight was within safe limits. What aileron trim to set for take off? No reply. SOP change? Check your cargo before take off. Stops nasty surprises!
More comments, feedback, experiences please?
Chok Dee