Transporting Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials
Background
A dangerous good is any substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property during transport. Some dangerous goods pose a risk even when not being transported and are called hazardous materials (HAZMAT). These materials are often subject to chemical regulations and include materials that are flammable, explosive, corrosive, radioactive, toxic, poisonous, allergenic, explosive, oxidizing, biohazardous, asphyxiating, or pathogenic. Dangerous goods can also include hot materials, or compressed gases and liquids.
While some products may seem harmless, they can be very dangerous when transported by air. Products like lithium batteries, aerosol whipped cream, and dry ice become a risk because of temperature and pressure variations, vibrations, and static electricity that may cause items to leak, generate toxic fumes, start a fire or even explode.
Regulations
Part 121 and 135 flight crews must complete specific training requirements and certification before they are authorized to carry hazardous materials, and they must complete this training annually. Part 91 operators do not require certification because the only materials they are allowed to carry are confined to exceptions and limited quantities of materials that are permitted to be shipped by air.
Common Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials that are likely to be transported by private aircraft include:
- Gasoline,
- Firearms,
- Compressed Gas Cylinders,
- Paint,
- Small propane tanks for camping stoves,
- Petroleum oils,
- Alcohol,
- Batteries,
- Aerosol spray containers,
- Cleaning solvents and solutions,
- Solid fuel containers (for camping/cooking),
- Carbon dioxide/dry ice,
- Survival equipment, and
- Pesticides/insecticides.
Excepted Materials
Clearly the aviation fuel and oil used to operate the aircraft are not included in these restrictions, but there are other noteworthy exceptions to mention here as well. The following items are hazardous materials that are allowed on board the aircraft in limited quantities or under certain conditions when carried by a passenger or crew member:
- Non-radioactive medicinal and toilet articles (including aerosols) may be carried in checked or carry-on baggage.
- One self-defense spray, not exceeding 4 fluid ounces may be carried in checked baggage if it incorporates a way to prevent accidental discharge.
- Other aerosols with no subsidiary risk may be carried in checked baggage.
- The aggregate quantity limits of these hazardous materials carried by a person must not exceed 2 kg. (70 oz.) by mass or 2 L (68 fl. oz.) by volume, and the capacity of each container may not exceed 0.5 kg. (18 oz.) by mass or 470 mL (16 fl. oz.) by volume.
Considerations For Part 91 Aircraft
It gets a little fuzzy for Part 91 aircraft because even though a private or general aviation business aircraft is technically a private aircraft, it still flies into public airports, parks at public FBO’s, and flies within the national airspace system. Because of this, the public must be considered exposed to the risks of dangerous goods or hazardous materials that may be onboard this aircraft. If an aircraft that is not in compliance with the regulations is involved in an incident or accident, they would be putting fire fighters, rescue personnel and even the public at unnecessary risk and possibly serious danger.
Conclusion
Compliance with dangerous goods and hazmat regulations are required for safety, period. And it is not just the safety of the crew and passengers onboard the aircraft that are at risk. Noncompliance is an unnecessary tragedy just waiting to happen. Know the rules and follow them for the safety of your passengers and everyone else that may eventually be in contact with whatever is onboard your aircraft.
