Narrative:

Just before gate departure the crew chief entered the cockpit and handed the captain a hazmat form for 1 package of dry ice; and also a computerized notoc (notice to captain) form showing again; the package of dry ice; and also 1 package of biological/infectious substance class 6.2. That package did not appear on the hazmat form. The captain began studying the two forms trying to determine if we had one or two restricted articles. During pushback we received the local closeout with no restricted articles shown. I called ramp tower and advised them of the problem. During this time the captain confirmed with the pushback crew that two packages were loaded. We received the second closeout during engine start which showed one restricted article (RA). Again; we communicated our concern to the ramp tower about the missing RA package. While the ramp was checking with the crew chief we departed the alley and parked in the runway pad to sort things out. We both pulled our part one; section 13; and could find no reference to class 6.2 other than it cannot be loaded with live animals; feed or foodstuff. And that class 6 substances are considered toxic and/or infectious substances; which sounds very much like hazardous material. Ramp tower called again after several minutes and explained that the crew chief told him that yes two packages were loaded; but that the biologic agent was not considered an RA. We were not convinced as we had a notoc form that listed it. We both felt that the closeout should reflect 2 RA's. Cargo said the exact same thing; that class 6.2 is not considered hazmat; and having done everything we could think of to verify that the information on the closeout was correct we continued the flight. From my perspective as a line pilot if you give me the notoc form with two packages listed; we should expect to see two packages listed on the closeout. How can I be expected to know what articles on a notoc form are truly considered hazmat? I don't understand how an item can have restricted loading requirements and have description of toxic; and infectious; and not be considered hazmat. If it is not considered hazmat why is it shown on the notoc form? Normal taxi time on this flight was 18 minutes. Today our flight took 35 minutes. How much fuel/money as wasted today trying to reconcile two flight documents that apparently cannot be reconciled? This needsto be addressed because from my view this will continue to be a problem.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An MD80 flight crew questioned why a shipment of biologic agents described as toxic and infectious was not considered hazmat.

Narrative: Just before gate departure the Crew Chief entered the cockpit and handed the Captain a hazmat form for 1 package of dry ice; and also a computerized NOTOC (NOtice TO Captain) form showing again; the package of dry ice; and also 1 package of Biological/Infectious Substance Class 6.2. That package did not appear on the hazmat form. The Captain began studying the two forms trying to determine if we had one or two restricted articles. During pushback we received the local closeout with no restricted articles shown. I called Ramp Tower and advised them of the problem. During this time the Captain confirmed with the pushback crew that two packages were loaded. We received the second closeout during engine start which showed one restricted article (RA). Again; we communicated our concern to the Ramp Tower about the missing RA package. While the ramp was checking with the Crew Chief we departed the alley and parked in the Runway pad to sort things out. We both pulled our part one; section 13; and could find no reference to class 6.2 other than it cannot be loaded with live animals; feed or foodstuff. And that Class 6 substances are considered toxic and/or infectious substances; which sounds very much like hazardous material. Ramp Tower called again after several minutes and explained that the Crew Chief told him that yes two packages were loaded; but that the biologic agent was not considered an RA. We were not convinced as we had a NOTOC form that listed it. We both felt that the closeout should reflect 2 RA's. Cargo said the exact same thing; that Class 6.2 is not considered hazmat; and having done everything we could think of to verify that the information on the closeout was correct we continued the flight. From my perspective as a line pilot if you give me the NOTOC form with two packages listed; we should expect to see two packages listed on the closeout. How can I be expected to know what articles on a NOTOC form are truly considered hazmat? I don't understand how an item can have restricted loading requirements and have description of toxic; and infectious; and not be considered hazmat. If it is not considered hazmat why is it shown on the NOTOC form? Normal taxi time on this flight was 18 minutes. today our flight took 35 minutes. How much fuel/money as wasted today trying to reconcile two flight documents that apparently cannot be reconciled? This needsto be addressed because from my view this will continue to be a problem.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.