We evaluated 10 years of reported hazardous cargo incident information
from the U.S. Air Force and Naval Safety Centers. In this first of tw
o papers describing the hazardous cargo problems reported by the two s
ervices, we describe types of aircraft and types of hazardous cargo in
volved in incidents not causing aircraft mishaps. Normally, hazardous
cargo must be manifested as such and no passengers are allowed on such
flights. Unauthorized hazardous cargo was found on military aircraft
carrying passengers. The most common problem was fuel spills or fumes.
The most frequent cause of a hazardous cargo incident was improper ma
nifest of same. Improvements are recommended for the incompatible or i
nconsistent hazardous cargo incident reporting systems, in order to im
prove prevention of hazardous cargo incidents.