Technical Guide
Shipping Aircraft
Tire Assembly
Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
Contents
About the Author: Dave Macha........................................
4
When Aircraft Tires are Dangerous Goods.......................
5
What are the Restrictions?...............................................
7
What are the Shipper’s Responsibilities?........................
11
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
Dave Macha
Director of Dangerous
Goods Compliance
Contact:
[email protected]
Dave is a Dangerous Goods Regulations expert providing training and
consultation to Quick’s employees, partners and clients. He has been
working in the transportation industry for the last 25 years, 19 of them
holding various management positions at Quick; from Operations, Quality
Assurance, On-Board Courier and Air Charter Control Centers, to TSA
and Dangerous Goods Compliance.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
When Aircraft Tires
are Dangerous Goods
Many shippers may not realize it, but tires that
are fully assembled and ready for use are
considered dangerous goods under certain
circumstances. The problem is, the definition of
dangerous goods as it relates to tire assemblies
may vary based on both the shipment’s point
of origin and its final destination. The following
information will help you determine the correct
classification and responsibilities when shipping
aircraft tire assembly.
Note: This information is accurate at time of printing. If you have any questions or concerns,
contact Sterling for clarification.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
When are Tire Assemblies
Considered Dangerous Goods?
Serviceable tire assemblies are considered dangerous since they are
typically inflated to a high pressure. Essentially, when tire assemblies
are shipped by air the pressure inside the tire will increase once the
plane reaches altitude. This increase in pressure could cause an
over-inflated tire to explode in the cargo hold and compromise the
structural integrity of the aircraft.
Aircraft tires that are not mounted on the rim are not considered
dangerous as they are not under pressure and do not pose a
safety hazard.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
What are the
Restrictions?
There are primarily two sets of rules regarding the transportation of tire
assemblies via air – the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
and the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). While the two sets
of regulations have essentially the same end result – 49 CFR, which
regulates shipments to, from or within the United States, is a bit more
complex and essentially calls for the shipper to disqualify the shipment
as being classified a different type of commodity.
According to the IATA blue pages:
• Tire assemblies that are inflated above their maximum rated pressure
may not be shipped by air
•Inflated tire assemblies that are unserviceable, damaged or, again,
inflated above the maximum rated pressure are also forbidden
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
However, IATA Provision A59 allows
shippers to transport tire assemblies by air
as non-restricted items when:
• Unserviceable or damaged tire assemblies are fully deflated
•Serviceable tire assemblies are inflated at or below the maximum
rated pressure for that specific tire (special packaging is required to
protect the tire and valve assemblies from damage)
Simply put, if a tire assembly is not inflated above its maximum rating,
is undamaged and is packaged in a manner that protects the tire and
valve assembly during transit, it is not restricted from transport via air.
While the IATA regulation is recognized virtually worldwide, shippers
must refer to 49 CFR for tire assemblies being transported to, from or
within the U.S.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
The entry for Tires and Tire Assemblies in the Hazardous Materials Table
(49 CFR §172.101) directs the shipper to UN1002, Air, compressed or
UN1066, Nitrogen, compressed. A shipper must look closely within 49
CFR for the regulations and exceptions for these commodities before
shipping a tire assembly by air.
For tires filled with compressed air, the shipper must first determine
that the compressed air used to inflate the tire contains no more than
23.5% oxygen. If the oxygen level is greater, then the shipment would
be classified as UN3156, Compressed gas, oxidizing, n.o.s. and the tire
assembly would be prohibited from air transport, as the tire itself does
not meet the packaging requirements for this commodity.
Generally, compressed gases are required to be packaged in a cylinder
(49 CFR §173.302); however, there is an applicable exception to this
requirement found in 49 CFR §173.307. Tire assemblies inflated with
compressed air (no more than 23.5% oxygen by volume) and those
inflated with nitrogen are exempt from the packaging requirement of 49
CFR §173.302.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
Specifically, 49 CFR §175.8(b)(4) allows tire assemblies
to be transported by air as non-regulated shipments if:
•A tire assembly with a serviceable tire is not inflated above the
maximum rated pressure for that tire
•Unserviceable and damaged tire assemblies contain no material
meeting the definition of a hazardous material; this requirement is
met if the tire is deflated to a gauge pressure below 200 kPa (29.0
psig/43.8 psia) at 20°C (68°F)
• The tire (including valve assemblies) is protected from damage during
transport
Like IATA, 49 CFR does allow for tire assemblies to be shipped via
air under certain conditions, but the shipper must first ensure that
the assembly does not meet the classification of a more restrictive
commodity.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
What are the Shipper’s
Responsibilities?
First and foremost, a shipper needs to ensure that their tire assembly
shipments meet IATA or 49 CFR requirements as applicable.
• For shipments outside of the U.S., refer to IATA
• For shipments to, from, through or within the U.S., refer to 49 CFR
Beyond that, however, shippers must also:
• Complete all appropriate paperwork
• Note on the Bill of Lading which of the following best describes the
commodity:
• An unmounted tire (not considered dangerous goods)
•An unserviceable or damaged tire assembly (must be
deflated)
•A serviceable tire assembly that’s inflated at or below the
maximum rated tire pressure (will typically move as an
unrestricted item)
• Inform their transportation partner that the shipment consists
of a tire assembly.
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Technical Guide: Shipping Aircraft Tire Assembly
IMPORTANT: This last piece of information is critical as some airlines
have their own set of rules. For instance, some may not take tires
at all – regardless of whether they meet IATA regulations or 49 CFR.
Or, an airline may accept tires and tire assemblies at some airports,
but not at others. Knowing the exact specifications up front allows
your transportation partner to map out the most expedient route
considering all factors.
While IATA is the standard for shipping to most parts of the world, it is
also recommended that shippers ensure they are in compliance with
regulations for every country through which a shipment will pass.
NOTE: This is a general overview of IATA Regulations, IATA Provision
A59 and 49 CFR. For specific details, please refer to the actual
regulatory texts.
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About Sterling
Sterling is the leader in global AOG Logistics, specializing in shipping
AOG aircraft parts, rapid returns, heavy weight or oversized freight.
Our team of seasoned aviation transportation specialists are dedicated
to making sure your worldwide shipments get to wherever they need
to go, on time, integrity intact.
Contact Sterling 24/7:
North & South America
800 633 6666
+1 703 471 4488
AOG Freight Desk
800 633 6666 Opt. 4
Asia and Pacific Rim
+65 62130489
Europe, Middle East and Africa
+44 (0) 20 8757 7555
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