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There are other possible scenarios, like improper initial load distribution, but with a max payload capacity of almost 250,000 lbs, if 5 MRAPs at 15 tons each (150,000 lbs) would have not been too much of a struggle for it to pull out of. Even mechanical failure probably would not have caused the stall IMO. My bet is on a combination of load shift due to the steep angle on take-off and 30,000 lbs or more breaking loose and rolling to the back of the aircraft at the most critical time it could happen.

G26ster wrote:It's way too early to know what happened or even take an educated guess. For whatever reason, the aircraft stalled. Not near enough altitude to recover. Cause(s) may include, but are not limited to:

Load shift (excessive aft CG)
Flight control failure
Power failure
Instrument failure (erroneous indication of pitch angle or airspeed)
Crew error
and many other possibilities.

Investigators will eventually figure it out, but it will take time.

No matter what the cause the accident error chain was forged. A combination of errors lead up to this occurance.

Looks like a stall, but pilot looks like he regains control , if he only had a 1000 ft more, he could have saved it.
RIP

I think the roll probably shifted the cargo back and the plane leveled out, but not sure he really ever had control again at that altitude. If you look closely there was little to no forward momentum after the stall.

A buddy of mine that I ride motorcycles with lost his brother in that crash. He was one of the pilots.

gigag04 wrote:A buddy of mine that I ride motorcycles with lost his brother in that crash. He was one of the pilots.

:-( Please give your friend my condolences. It must be hard with him seeing it on the news like this.