Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Company Policy
Over 1;000 kg of Lithium Ion batteries on board; half of which (either 540 or 460 kg) were loaded in the forward belly. This is an unsafe loading position for batteries which are a known fire hazard.Not sure why the batteries were loaded in an inaccessible Dangerous Goods position. Because the CFSS is so much more effective on Lithium battery fires than halon; all Lithium Ion and Lithium Metal batteries ought to be loaded on the main cargo deck; not in halon controlled; inaccessible positions.
A cargo flight Captain noted that Lithium Ion batteries were loaded the aircraft's inaccessible belly compartment but the crew would be better able to fight a fire if they were in the main deck cargo area.