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Shifting cargo caused 2013 crash at Afghan air base killing all 7 crew

THE air crash in Afghanistan shortly after takeoff in April 2013 at Bagram Air Base, killing all seven crew, was caused by the shifting of cargo, according to the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The NTSB members voted 4-0 to accept the staff's conclusion that the crash of the National Air Cargo flight was probably caused by at least one armoured vehicle shifting positions the plane took off, smashing into the aircraft's hydraulic systems and horizontal stabilisers and making it "impossible" to fly.

NTSB investigators found that National Airlines, the parent company of National Air Cargo, had inadequate procedures in place for restraining big loads, and the carrier was criticised over the training of its crew members. It also found that federal regulators failed to provide proper oversight of the aircraft, the Detroit Free Press reported.

"Although National Airlines provided the (flight's) loadmaster with initial and recurrent training, this training was deficient to the extent that it could not have provided him the knowledge and skills necessary" (to properly secure the load), the staff report said.

A lawyer representing National Airlines, Mark Dombroff, said the carrier was "disappointed" at the outcome and believed additional investigations should have been performed to determine if an explosive device was involved. Investigators said there was no evidence of explosives playing a role in the disaster.

"We don't agree with the probable cause that they found," Mr Dombroff said. "The investigation did not encompass what we would have expected."

He added that the company will wait to review the final report, which is yet to be issued in full, before deciding whether to ask the NTSB to reconsider its findings.

The findings generally followed what had already been suggested in earlier reports. In February, the NTSB, which took over as the lead agency in the investigation with the agreement of the

The Afghanistan government, issued a preliminary report indicating at least one mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) had shifted during takeoff, damaging the aircraft.