Self-reported passenger weights

Marthakal Yolngu Airline advised that all references to the use of self-reported passenger weights for the purposes of weight and balance calculations will be removed in the next amendment of the operations manual and that all passenger weights must be actual weights. Additionally, Marthakal Yolngu Airline provided the ATSB with a copy of meeting minutes that documented a briefing from the safety manager to all company personnel conducted on 9 February 2026. During the briefing, the safety manager outlined the proposed changes to the operations manual and advised pilots that actual passenger weights are required to be used for all flights.

The ATSB welcomes Marthakal Yolngu Airline’s proposal to remove all references regarding the use of self-reported passenger weights for the purposes of weight and balance calculations from its operations manual. The ATSB will continue to monitor the safety issue until documented evidence of the implementation of proposed safety action has been provided.