Two Captains from two separate flights reported Hazmat cargo was loaded and transported in the wrong aircraft. Both the Loading Customer Service Agents and the flight crews failed to catch the error.
Synopsis
Two Captains from two separate flights reported Hazmat cargo was loaded and transported in the wrong aircraft. Both the Loading Customer Service Agents and the flight crews failed to catch the error.
Narrative
We were given a paperwork that seemed to be correct; but it was intended for another flight; while the other company flight received our paperwork. In consequence; we carried more batteries that the company manual allows.Flight ABCB (ZZZ-ZZZ1) took the correct freight; but the paperwork was incorrect. Our Flight ABAA; took the freight for the correct destination too; but the freight reported on the paperwork did not reflect the freight that was loaded.When paperwork was handed to me; I cross-checked the origin; destination; and the content with the freight load form. Everything seemed to be corrected and I accepted it. I failed to notice that the last two digits of the flight number were incorrect. We only confirmed that the freight release; the origin and destination; the content and freight form were correct.We did not catch the error made by the Customer Service Agent; who inspected and supervised the loading of the boxes; but swapped the two flight's paperwork. When the First Officer went to check the boxes; they were already loaded and secured behind the bags.In our paperwork; we had 11 boxes loaded in our aircraft; destined to ZZZ1 (and since that was the final destination of our flight; after a brief stop in ZZZ2; we could not tell that a mistake had been made); but we actually had 7 boxes that were intended to ZZZ2.Pilots used to supervise the load and inspect the paperwork. Since this has become a task for the Customer Service Agents; we only check if the freight is properly secured; before closing the cargo compartment. In this case; the shipment was correct; but the paperwork was wrong. Even though it did not cause any detriment; we ended carrying more than 2 boxes of batteries per flight; which is an infringement to our policies. We would like to see a more automated system (with scanners); like the ones used by cargo carriers; to prevent future mistakes like this.
Second reporter narrative
Upon arrival in ZZZ; the freight driver noticed the freight paperwork did not match the freight boxes delivered. We had the correct ZZZ freight boxes; but had the paperwork for Flight ABAA. On the paperwork for Flight ABAA; it showed the freight included 4 battery boxes. We are only authorized to carry 2 battery boxes per flight. Since we had the wrong paperwork; none of our freight boxes actually included batteries. The FO did note that he did not see any boxes with the battery sticker when checking the cargo compartment loading.Checking the freight paperwork for batteries is something I need to be more consistent with checking. Since I'm not the one inspecting the freight; I'm more concerned of the actual loading to make sure the W&B and paperwork is correct. I also think it would be beneficial for the CSA; or whoever is accepting the freight; to verbally tell the pilots if batteries are on board the aircraft.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.