A civilian cargo aircraft crashed at Bagram Air Field near the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, killing all seven people aboard. The plane came down shortly after take-off and crashed within the boundaries of the US-run airbase, a NATO spokesperson at the base said. The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the crash, but the coalition dismissed the claim as “false” in a statement to AP. The cause of the crash is being investigated by emergency crews, but no sign of insurgent activity in the area was spotted at the time, the statement added.

Speculation from Army Flight Crew Chief and Friend of the Treehouse – It appears the cargo aircraft was trying for a rapid altitude climb immediately after take off. Probably trying to avoid potential for hostile fire outside of Air Field by rapid ascent angle. Cargo not loaded in manner commensurate with such a take off attempt, or cargo shifted due to angle of climb. Aircraft clearly “tail heavy” – and lift dynamics lost.