What happened
On 23 April 2005, an Airbus A340-642, registration G-VSHY, departed London Heathrow Airport for Tokyo Narita Airport. During the turnaround process, the Turnaround Coordinator (TCO) identified a significant discrepancy while reviewing cargo documentation. A comparison between the Cargo Weight Statement and the Loading Instruction Report revealed that a single pallet had been recorded at 355 kg, when its actual weight was 2,015 kg.
Upon generating a revised loadsheet, it became apparent that the aircraft's centre of gravity (CG) was positioned forward of the operator's permitted limits. Although the aircraft had already departed, the crew was notified of the error. To rectify the imbalance while airborne, three passengers were moved toward the rear of the aircraft. The commander reported no unusual handling characteristics during takeoff, and the flight proceeded to its destination without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the accuracy of the loading data and the frequency of similar errors within the airline. It was established that the error originated from a manual input mistake at an overseas Central Load Planning facility, where cargo details were being entered into a computer system.
Investigators also reviewed the operator's recent safety history, noting a high frequency of loading-related incidents. A review of the CAA database showed several previous instances where loadsheets were inaccurate, involving both incorrect weights and omitted passengers. The investigation also noted that the error was not detected until the aircraft was already in flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was incorrect data entry of cargo weight into the planning system.
- The error resulted in the aircraft operating with a centre of gravity outside of the operator's allowable limits.
- The airline had experienced a disproportionately high number of loading errors compared to other UK operators during the preceding year.
- The error was not identified by ground staff prior to the aircraft's departure.