The main reason I chose this topic is that I have been involved with cargo aircraft my entire adult life 22+ years as a C-5 A/B/C, C-17A & 747-200/300/400/8F/LCF Aircraft Loadmaster and current C-17A Loadmaster Simulator Instructor.  In addition I am also the son of a retired US Air Force C-124, C-133A/B & C-5A Aircraft Loadmaster.  Soon my second born Son will be following in the tradition when this spring he will be enlisting in the Alaska National Guard as a C-17A Loadmaster.  I have a vested interest in identifying past cargo induced accidents so that I may highlight and pass this on to my current and future students.

       

     Aircraft accidents are a constant newsworthy event, some of the less likely causes are those that can be attributed to the cargo being carried.  When it has been determined cargo had been a contributing factor, most if not all of the situations were correctable or preventable.  The most recent that comes to memory is the National Air Cargo crash at Bagram AB Afghanistan. 
National Air Cargo B744 crashed after it was determined loose cargo consisting of three armored vehicles and two mine sweepers totaling at 80 tons of weight, caused the accident. The cargo slammed so hard at the back of the aircraft, that parts of the aircraft separated and wiring in the back was severed. As result of the shift and loss of aircraft parts the center of gravity moved so far back, that the attitude of the aircraft could no longer be controlled, the nose of the aircraft rose beyond the flying envelope of the aircraft and the aircraft stalled destroying the aircraft and killing all crew in the resulting impact. Parts of the aircraft, that separated as result of the initial load shift, were recovered from the runway. The straps used to tie down the cargo were recovered from the accident site, although charred they provided evidence of having fractured before final impact, it was unclear however, whether the fracture(s) had happened before or after takeoff (Hradecky, 2014).
      Another being the crash of United Parcel Service Flight 6 crash in Dubai.  The final determination was that “the investigation concludes with reasonable certainty that the location of the fire was in an element of the cargo that contained, among other items, lithium batteries.” (Kapur, 2014)






Hradecky, S. (2014). Crash: National Air Cargo B744 at Bagram on 29 Apr 2013. Retrieved from:      http://avherald.com/h?article=46183bb4

Kapur, V. (2014). UPS Dubai crash: GCAA final report links accident to lithium batteries. Retrieved from: http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/ups-dubai-crash-gcaa-final-report-links-accident-to-lithium-batteries-2013-07-25-1.515438

C-124 - http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=289
C-133 - http://www.boeing.com/boeing/history/mdc/c-133.page
C-5 - http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/c5.html
C-17 - http://www.boeing.com/boeing/defense-space/military/c17/index.page

Aircraft Loadmaster -
      A Loadmaster is an aircrew member that performs the calculations and plans cargo and passenger placement to keep the aircraft within permissible center of gravity limits throughout the flight.  The loadmaster may physically load the aircraft, but primarily supervises loading crews and procedures. Once positioned aboard the aircraft, the loadmaster ensures that their charge is properly secured, as an unexpected shift of the load can produce serious handling problems for the aircraft. Chains, straps, and integrated cargo locks are among the most common tools used to secure the cargo. Because cargo may shift during abrupt maneuvers, the loadmaster must determine the appropriate type, quantity and placement of cargo restraint. 
      Many loadmasters may also be required to be qualified for "aerial delivery" of paratroops or cargo by parachute. Compared to the relatively routine transportation of cargo, airdrop can be a highly technical and dangerous undertaking. Under some situations, the most effective way to resupply ground troops is by aerial delivery of equipment, ammunition, food, and medical supplies. 
      Until the 1980s, loadmasters were found primarily within the military, but as civilian airlines became more involved in air freight operations with large airplanes, particularly, the Boeing 747, many companies began using loadmasters on flights where complex cargo loads were carried.



AD Tips that can be used are pretty common to all investigations to include cargo induced accidents.  Overall the process starts with the stipulation that we are not trying to determine the cause but are attempting to collect evidence, observe what is at hand and find facts.  Photography and video can be crucial in the collection of evidence.  Small, middle, and big picture framing allows others to sample the evidence without focusing necessarily on one thing.  The 5-M concept is applicable in that Man is always involved.  Machine?  Was it configured and operating properly?  Medium can be attributed to material handling equipment and devices.  Mission is considered when evaluating time of day, conditions, and expertise.  Management is involved with the composition of all involved and the assigning of proper resources.  Ultimately Human Factors (HF)are the leading contributor in most all accidents.  The SHELL concept of HF can be used to evaluate all of the interchangeable relationship between the loading, unloading, and preparation of cargo for flight.  Ultimately much can be learned from the human interview process, first hand knowledge immediately after an accident is an invaluable tool in determining the causes of an accident..