A320 flight crew is informed after the fact that 40 bags were loaded in bin 5 and not noted on the weight and balance form. The bags were in an unusual location and not offloaded at destination; remaining on board for the ferry flight back to base. No adverse flying qualities were noted.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew is informed after the fact that 40 bags were loaded in bin 5 and not noted on the weight and balance form. The bags were in an unusual location and not offloaded at destination; remaining on board for the ferry flight back to base. No adverse flying qualities were noted.
Narrative
I had the privilege of flying our troops in July. The flight was uneventful. I was made aware by the Chief Pilot two days later that they had discovered 40 bags in bin 5. This bin is normally not used and was only supposed to have contained the Flyaway Kit. During our pre-flight preparations we got the figures on the weights for that day. We ran a preliminary calculation with cargo weights distributed by a 3rd into the main cargo bins. Specifically bin 1; 3; and 4 and got a good weight and balance. Toward the end of our prep we got the load form from the Agent. The OP-10 did not indicate anything other than the flyaway kit in bin 5 as was expected; however when we ran the ops program it showed us slightly out of Aft CG limits; as they had placed more bags in the back. The quickest resolution was to move a few passengers forward in order to bring the CG within limits. I was surprised to find out that I had failed to note the move on the load form as is required. There was weather moving in the area and in haste I either forgot or I wrote it on the yellow copy; as the Agent had gone to fax the paperwork. The take off and flight were normal and we did not experience anything abnormal during all phases of flight. I have a habit of including the trim wheel in my scan and it was in the green arc during all phases of flight. This would include the return flight which the First Officer flew and he also did not note anything out of the ordinary.Upon returning the Mechanic went to retrieve the Flyaway kit and discovered the extra bags bin 5 is normally not used combined with the fact that we went to an airport that the ground crews may have been unfamiliar with the A320. I don't know how the bags got into bin 5 I can only guess that access to bin 5 through bin 4 may have confused the ground crew into thinking that was part of bin 4. For my part I have learned that particularly on these charter flights where ground crew may be unfamiliar with the A320; more attention has to be paid by designating a crew member to observe and or direct first hand the loading of cargo. I will be much more diligent about notating all changes on the load form.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft was loaded incorrectly by placing 40 bags in bin 5 and not noting this in the weight and balance form. The only item in bin 5 should have been the fly away kit (145 LBS) which was computed into the operations program for weight and balance. After receiving the weights and computing the weight and balance the CG for the ZFW was slightly aft. This was remedied by moving a few passengers forward. Also note that in the cockpit was all crew bags properly secured due to requests by the military to segregate the crew bags from the soldiers carry ons (m16s). The aircraft flew normally on both flights.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.