Narrative:

In accordance with the fom the captain must verify that the piece count or actual weight matches the load closeout prior to departure. We verified that the piece-count total (62) on the electronic weight and balance manifest matched the hand-written load worksheet piece-count of 62. After gate arrival; the baggage handler who had arrived to pick up connecting bags contacted me regarding bags that were 'not supposed to be on the flight.' he showed me his paperwork stating that he had 'no record of these bags-they were supposed to be on a later flight.' the bags to which he was referring were seven boxes of approximately 18 inches cubed; and two large; black; wheeled suitcases. We counted the number of bags that had been taken from the aft cargo compartments (C3 and C4). Not including the seven carry-on bags that had already been delivered; there was a total of 41 bags and boxes. In comparing the bag count from our paperwork; compartment c- 1 was empty; C-2 had 18 checked bags; plus two heavy bags for a total of 20 pieces; C-3 was supposed to have 7 valet bags; and 7 checked bags; for a total of 14 pieces; C4A had 20 checked bags total; and C4B had 8 checked bags total. At the time we counted the bags at our destination; the forward compartments had not yet been unloaded. The aft bag count does not match any possible combination of bags. According to the paperwork; we should have had 35 bags; not including the seven carry-on bags. If we add the nine additional pieces; we should have had 44 bags; but we only had 41. After discovering the discrepancy; we computed the baggage weights that should have been in each compartment. Three were correct; but C3 showed only 140 pounds; which would be correct if only 7 carry-on bags were placed there. However; the manual 'cargo worksheet;' showed that there were also 7 checked bags in this compartment. That total weight did not appear anywhere in the electronic weight and balance system; so although the total piece-count matched; the total weight did not. The flight's electronic weight and balance shows the aircraft to be in a 'forward caution zone;' configuration for takeoff; so the additional; unreported bags actually helped our cg in this case. However; had the opposite loading been true; the additional bags; coupled with the missing total weight may have ended with catastrophic results. Emphasize the importance of a correct aircraft cg; and aircraft loading to all ramp personnel during initial and recurring training. Provide real examples; such as the charlotte beech 1900 accident. Implement additional training if necessary.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Air Carrier Captain reported that at the flight's destination ground personnel transferring baggage reported that bags were loaded onto his aircraft and not accounted for on either the electronic weight and balance or the load closeout.

Narrative: In accordance with the FOM the Captain must verify that the piece count OR actual weight matches the load closeout prior to departure. We verified that the piece-count total (62) on the electronic weight and balance manifest matched the hand-written load worksheet piece-count of 62. After gate arrival; the baggage handler who had arrived to pick up connecting bags contacted me regarding bags that were 'not supposed to be on the flight.' He showed me his paperwork stating that he had 'no record of these bags-they were supposed to be on a later flight.' The bags to which he was referring were seven boxes of approximately 18 inches cubed; and two large; black; wheeled suitcases. We counted the number of bags that had been taken from the aft cargo compartments (C3 and C4). Not including the seven carry-on bags that had already been delivered; there was a total of 41 bags and boxes. In comparing the bag count from our paperwork; compartment C- 1 was empty; C-2 had 18 checked bags; plus two heavy bags for a total of 20 pieces; C-3 was supposed to have 7 valet bags; and 7 checked bags; for a total of 14 pieces; C4A had 20 checked bags total; and C4B had 8 checked bags total. At the time we counted the bags at our destination; the forward compartments had not yet been unloaded. The aft bag count does not match any possible combination of bags. According to the paperwork; we should have had 35 bags; not including the seven carry-on bags. If we add the nine additional pieces; we should have had 44 bags; but we only had 41. After discovering the discrepancy; we computed the baggage weights that should have been in each compartment. Three were correct; but C3 showed only 140 LBS; which would be correct if only 7 carry-on bags were placed there. However; the manual 'Cargo Worksheet;' showed that there were also 7 checked bags in this compartment. That total weight did not appear anywhere in the electronic weight and balance system; so although the total piece-count matched; the total weight did not. The flight's electronic weight and balance shows the aircraft to be in a 'forward caution zone;' configuration for takeoff; so the additional; unreported bags actually helped our CG in this case. However; had the opposite loading been true; the additional bags; coupled with the missing total weight may have ended with catastrophic results. Emphasize the importance of a correct aircraft CG; and aircraft loading to all ramp personnel during initial and recurring training. Provide real examples; such as the Charlotte Beech 1900 accident. Implement additional training if necessary.

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.