Abstract: There is disclosed a head loading carriage assembly for a data storage device such as a "floppy" disk device, the carriage assembly including a base and being movable in a radial direction relative to the recording medium. Pivoted with respect to this base are two arms: a head support arm carrying at least one magnetic head and an auxiliary load arm which is movable in respect to the head support arm between a first and a second load position. The magnetic head is in contact with the recording medium in both of these load positions; however, it is operative only in the first load position. A first spring urges the auxiliary load arm into the first load position towards the head support arm, so as to engage the magnetic head attached to this arm with the recording medium. A second spring, forming a residual leaf spring, is arranged between the head support arm and the auxiliary load arm.