Air carrier flight crew reported discovering that a portable oxygen concentrator was checked without the flight crew's knowledge. The concentrator also had batteries and one of the batteries was found missing. The missing battery was not found and with the potential chance that it may have been transferred to another aircraft's cargo bay; the Captain notified Dispatch and the Chief Pilot.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported discovering that a portable oxygen concentrator was checked without the flight crew's knowledge. The concentrator also had batteries and one of the batteries was found missing. The missing battery was not found and with the potential chance that it may have been transferred to another aircraft's cargo bay; the Captain notified Dispatch and the Chief Pilot.
Narrative
After passengers had deplaned; two were left in the jetway. I asked what they were waiting for and they explained they had checked a portable oxygen concentrator and a walker. At this time the Ramp delivered the items. After examining the concentrator; the couple informed me one of the batteries was missing and must have fallen out in transport. I informed the Ramp and had them search the cargo bays for it. After a few minutes I went to see what the results of the search were. Ramp was unloading the forward cargo bay and said they couldn't find it but it could be in the back. I opened the aft cargo bay; it was empty and I couldn't see anything that looked like the battery on the deck. Went back up; informed Operations; and the passengers were instructed to take it up with baggage claim.I was not happy the concentrator had been checked and nobody told me. Further; they had left the batteries in and didn't tell me; but I figured the event had been handled and would be satisfactorily resolved and left for the hotel. Walking away I realized the failure in HAZMAT procedures was bigger than I had initially thought. Further; concentrator had a transfer tag on it and the battery could be in the cargo bay of another aircraft. I called Dispatch and the Chief Pilot to report the event.Someone didn't follow lithium battery protocols. Just need to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Second reporter narrative
Portable oxygen generator was discovered to have been carried without notice to crew. Associated battery/batteries carried in cargo with primary unit. It became evident when we as a crew were leaving the aircraft after terminating and two passengers couldn't find part of their gate-checked items and were waiting in the jet bridge for it.A reminder to the people receiving checked bags as to procedures for controlled/restricted items.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.