Shifting cargo blamed in Afghanistan air crash fatal to 7

DETROIT – A military vehicle aboard an overloaded plane in Afghanistan broke free and struck critical operating systems, likely leading to the 2013 crash that killed all seven crew members, federal officials said Tuesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board said an improperly secured mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, known as an MRAP, went through the bulkhead and disabled two hydraulic systems, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable.

The Dubai-bound Boeing 747-400 plane crashed just after takeoff from Bagram Air Base on April 29, 2013, killing six crew members from Michigan and one from Kentucky. It was operated by National Air Cargo Group Inc. and carried 207 tons of cargo, including five MRAPs, weighing 12 to 18 tons each.

NTSB officials, detailing their findings at a meeting in Washington, D.C., found “critical safety deficiencies,” including a failure by National Air Cargo, which does business as National Airlines, to restrain cargo. Investigators also found inadequate Federal Aviation Administration oversight of cargo operator procedures and inspector training, as well as unclear responsibility for the oversight of special cargo handling operations.

National Airlines did not immediately respond to a message from the Associated Press seeking comment. The FAA said in an emailed response to the AP that it will officially respond within the required 90 days, and that officials have reviewed air-carrier manuals and guidance on cargo loading, operations and other procedures at National Airlines and other cargo carriers.