AAIB investigation to ATR 72-211, G-CLNK
In-flight load shift, Guernsey Airport, 16 April 2021.
Summary:
As the cargo aircraft took off, a Unit Load Device (ULD) positioned in the centre of the aircraft slid rearwards into a vacant bay. After landing, as the aircraft braked, the ULD slid forward breaking through the forward locks and coming to rest in a vacant bay forward of its original position. An investigation by the ground handling organisation found that the locks to the rear of the ULD had not been raised and that there were no independent checks during the loading to verify that the locks had been correctly raised.
Safety action has been taken by the ground handling organisation to improve their loading procedures. The operator has also introduced ‘void awareness’ training on all their fleets during Operator Proficiency Checks to highlight the potential risks in operating with empty ‘void’ bays.
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