Dangerous Goods, Security and Carriage of Special Categories of Passengers and Cargo
This domain covers the rules for what may be carried, how it is accepted and how the crew is informed: ICAO Annex 18 and the Technical Instructions for dangerous goods, Annex 17 and Regulation (EC) 300/2008 for security, and the special categories of passengers and cargo.
Dangerous goods
- Nine classes: explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidisers, toxic, radioactive, corrosive, miscellaneous (including lithium batteries).
- Acceptance checks, packing, marking, labelling and documentation are the shipper's and operator's responsibility; the operator's dangerous goods manual governs.
- A NOTOC (notification to the captain) is given to the PIC before loading; it lists what is carried and where. It is not sent to ATC.
- Loading restrictions apply: radioactive material and toxic or infectious substances have separation rules, some items are cargo aircraft only, and dangerous goods are prohibited in the cabin except where the Technical Instructions allow.
- Lithium batteries: spare cells and power banks must travel in the cabin, protected against short circuit; installed batteries in equipment may be checked in. Larger batteries need operator approval.
- Accidents and incidents involving dangerous goods must be reported.
Security
- Airport and operator security programmes, screening and searching of passengers, cabin and hold baggage and cargo; access control; cockpit door protection and procedures for entering the flight crew compartment.
- Carriage of weapons and of persons authorised to carry them needs approval; unlawful interference is handled under the operator's security procedures and Annex 17.
Special categories
- Persons with reduced mobility, stretcher and oxygen cases, deportees, inadmissible passengers, persons in custody with escorts, medical cases and human remains; carriage of animals. Each has specific seating, briefing and documentation requirements in the OM.
Worked example
A passenger presents a 100 Wh lithium-ion power bank in checked baggage. It is not acceptable: spare batteries and power banks must be carried in the cabin, protected from short circuit, whatever the capacity below the limit. A 300 Wh power bank would additionally require the operator's approval. The crew should also be aware if the item is carried, since a battery fire in the cabin is fought differently from one in the hold.
Traps
- Believing the IATA DGR is the legal text; the ICAO Technical Instructions are.
- Sending the NOTOC to ATC instead of the PIC.
- Allowing spare lithium batteries in checked baggage.
- Overlooking the reporting requirement after a dangerous goods incident.