NASA · Aviation Safety Reporting System
Air Taxi flight crew reported discovering a prohibited electric scooter that was transported as cargo in violation of Hazmat Regulations. The violation was detected during unloading at the destination.
What is ASRS?
The Aviation Safety Reporting System is NASA's voluntary, confidential, non- punitive incident-reporting system, established 1976. Pilots, controllers, dispatchers, and maintenance technicians file reports describing safety- relevant events. NASA de-identifies every report before adding it to the public database. Reports are not investigated by NASA, the FAA, or the NTSB — they represent the reporter's perspective.
Pilot narratives
Verbatim from the de-identified NASA record. First-person account by the
reporter. NASA strips identifying details (names, company, specific time);
anonymization placeholders are ZZZ,
X, Y.
Reporter 1
The SIC (Second in Command) loaded a large amount of baggage/luggage with the help of line service prior to departure . While unloading the luggage/baggage after arrival, I came across a carrying case. After further examination it appeared that it contained a scooter. I found the passenger and asked if it was an electric scooter and was told yes. With the amount of baggage the passengers had and that the scooter was in a carrying case it was loaded without being detected as an electric scooter. Told passengers that we are not allowed to carry electric scooters and notified the company. Monitor the loading of baggage and challenge passengers as to the contents inside.
Reporter 2
During the pre-departure, I was loading a large amount of bags assisted by line service at the FBO. After the flight the PIC unloaded the baggage and saw a black compact carrying bag. The PIC asked the passengers what was in the bag and was told that it contained an electric scooter. The scooter was in a compact carrying case which did not have the appearance of being a scooter. With the amount of baggage the passengers had, the bag was loaded without detecting that there was a scooter inside. The PIC notified the passengers that bringing an electric scooter was prohibited. The company was also notified. Monitor the bags being loaded more carefully, challenge the passengers, and take a look at what is inside the bags when needed.
NASA classification — Anomalies
- Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event
- Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural
NASA classification — Assessments
- Contributing Factors / Situations
- Human Factors
- Primary Problem
- Human Factors
ASRS reports are voluntarily submitted, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective. The presence of reports on a topic cannot be used to infer prevalence in the National Airspace System. The authoritative source is the NASA ASRS Database Online at asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗.