According to the NTSB investigative report of the accident, the Blackwater pilots were "behaving unprofessionally" and were "deliberately flying the nonstandard route low through the valley for fun."

The accident contributed to the debate over the use of private military contractors in war-zones and Blackwater's hiring practices and standard operating procedures.

[1] Blackwater USA was founded in 1997 by former Navy SEALs, Erik Prince and Al Clark, in North Carolina as a security training firm that provided instruction to military and law enforcement.

The contract was a 2-year, $34.8 million deal which would require Blackwater aircraft to haul U.S. troops and equipment on short flights across the region, often between unimproved remote airstrips.

You have high altitude, short strips, unimproved runways, and you have transport aircraft that are designed to support a large, conventional battle.

The aircraft was crewed by pilot Noel English, 37, first officer Loren Hammer, 35, with flight mechanic Melvin Rowe, 43, also on board.

It was carrying three passengers: Lieutenant Colonel Michael McMahon, 41, Chief Warrant Officer Travis Grogan, 31, and Specialist Harley Miller, 21, all members of the United States Army.

[9] A transcript of the cockpit voice recorder showed the crew were unsure about their navigation with the pilot remarking early into the flight, "I hope I'm goin' in the right valley."

Specialist Miller initially survived the crash with a broken rib, abdominal and lung trauma, and minor head injuries.

The investigation showed that the cause of the crash was the inexperienced flight crew flying an unfamiliar route and the lack of adequate terrain clearance.

In addition, the NTSB noted that it is possible the pilots had been experiencing symptoms of hypoxia hampering decision making, owing to the high altitude of the flight and lack of oxygen equipment on board.

The NTSB also faulted the Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration for not providing sufficient oversight of its contractors[5] One of the most damning parts of the report stated that Spc.

In a statement, the lawyer for the plaintiffs said that Blackwater had been "cutting corners" in regards to its contract services and as a result had put American troops at risk.

Blackwater then claimed protection under the Feres Doctrine which gave immunity to the government from lawsuits filed by servicemen injured while in the service.