Air Cargo Carriers

Air Cargo Carriers operates under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a U.S. air carrier, requiring an Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications. Air cargo operations, particularly those with aircraft over a certain weight, are also subject to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security programs.

Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:

Air Cargo Carriers has a documented history of incidents, some of which have been fatal.

• February 5, 2006: Two Short 360-300 freighters operated by Air Cargo Carriers collided near Watertown, Wisconsin, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants.
• May 17, 2012: A Short 360 sustained substantial damage due to a wheel brake fire during taxi at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas. There were no injuries to the flight crew.
• May 5, 2017: A Short 330 aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, killing both the pilot and co-pilot. Investigations indicated pilot performance issues contributed to this accident.
• November 6, 2018: A Short SD-360 experienced a nose gear collapse upon landing at Louisville, Kentucky, with no reported injuries.
• July 17, 2019: A Short SD-360 experienced a bird strike during approach to Traverse City, Michigan.
• June 25, 2021: A Short 360 made a belly landing at Las Vegas.

A 2009 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted that small cargo carriers were involved in the vast majority of air cargo accidents between 1997 and 2008, and that pilot performance was identified as a probable cause in approximately 80% of fatal cargo accidents.

Regulatory Certifications:

As a U.S.-based cargo airline, Air Cargo Carriers is required to hold an Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications from the FAA, demonstrating its safety authority. It must also comply with economic authority requirements from the Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, the airline adheres to TSA's security programs for all-cargo aircraft, such as the "Twelve-Five Standard Security Program" for aircraft above a specific weight.

Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:

Air Cargo Carriers operates a fleet largely composed of Short SD3-30 and SD3-60 aircraft, which are older aircraft designs, with Short SD-30s added in 1990 and Short 360s in 1995. The airline prides itself on maintaining the world's largest civilian fleet of these Shorts aircraft and also boasts one of the largest inventories of Shorts spare parts globally. They operate a full-service maintenance base at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, as well as a satellite facility in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they conduct in-house modifications and maintenance for their Shorts fleet. This in-house expertise and extensive parts inventory suggest a strong focus on the upkeep of their specialized fleet, although the general air cargo industry is facing challenges with aging fleets and delays in new aircraft deliveries.

Overall Safety Assessment:

Based on available data, Air Cargo Carriers has experienced a number of safety incidents, including fatal accidents. While the airline maintains its fleet with in-house expertise and a large parts inventory, the incidents highlight the inherent risks associated with cargo operations, particularly those involving smaller aircraft and feeder services. Pilot performance has been a contributing factor in some past fatal accidents involving small cargo carriers. No specific safety awards or recognitions for Air Cargo Carriers were found in the provided search results.