Aircraft loading occurrences July 2003 to June 2010

This report documents the number and types of safety occurrences involving loading of high-capacity aircraft across a 7-year period to raise awareness within the aviation industry of the associated issues. Incorrect loading of containers, pallets or bags into aircraft can result in them being outside of weight or centre of gravity operating limits, and this may influence aircraft controllability. Most high-capacity aircraft loading occurrences are relatively minor, with cargo locks not being raised being the most common. More serious occurrences have involved shifting cargo and unlisted cargo being loaded onto aircraft. Aircraft performance has been affected in a small number of cases, and the result has been rejected take-off, extra stabiliser trim, or aircraft control difficulties.