Accident Overview
A four-engine aircraft departing from Sardeh Band Airstrip encountered difficulties gaining altitude shortly after takeoff, stalled, and crashed approximately 4 kilometers from the airfield. The mission involved exfiltrating US Army Special Forces troops. Seven individuals were injured, and three others were killed.
Official Findings
The Accident Investigation Board President determined, by clear and convincing evidence, that the cause of the mishap was excessive cargo weight loaded onto the aircraft at the Band E Sardeh Dam landing zone. The actual weight was substantially more than the crew had planned for, rendering the planned and executed takeoff speed insufficient for a successful takeoff and sustained climb.
Contributing Factors
The Board President also identified a substantially contributing factor: the method of cargo weight planning used by deployed ground forces and accepted by aircrews. This method relied on personal estimates by field personnel regarding the weight of cargo to be loaded, a practice that proved unreliable in the combat environment.