What happened
On October 22, 2024, at Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport (EPKT), an Airbus A320-214, registration LZ-FSD, operated by Fly2Sky, was prepared for departure. Ground handling personnel from LSAirport Service S.A. provided the flight crew with a Loading Instruction Report (LIR) specifying the weight distribution for various cargo compartments. Following the completion of loading and passenger boarding, the flight crew prepared a Loading Sheet (LS).
Due to technical difficulties with document distribution, the captain provided the LS to the flight coordinator via a photograph sent to a private mobile phone. The flight coordinator did not verify the format of the document and failed to perform a comparative check between the LIR and the LS. This resulted in an undetected discrepancy: while the LIR specified weights for compartments CPT 1, 3, and 4, the LS incorrectly indicated different values, effectively shifting the recorded weight distribution across the compartments.
Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, the Operations Control Center (OCC) Shift Manager identified the discrepancy and contacted Air Traffic Control to request that the crew be notified on the operator's frequency. The crew acknowledged the corrected weight information provided by the OCC. The flight continued without further incident and landed safely at the destination.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the procedures used for the distribution of loading documentation and the verification process between the LIR and the LS. The investigation focused on the communication methods used between the flight crew and the ground coordinator, as well as the oversight responsibilities of the ground handling personnel.
Findings
- The lack of a verification check between the Loading Instruction Report (LIR) and the Loading Sheet (LS) was the direct cause of the incident.
- Technical issues regarding the distribution and receipt of the LS contributed to the error.
- The use of an informal method (a photograph sent to a private device) prevented an effective comparison of the official data.
Safety action
- LSAirport Service S.A. has implemented additional training for flight coordinators regarding supervision protocols for aircraft loading and unloading.