What is one effect of improperly balanced cargo?

Improperly balanced cargo can lead to a potential loss of control during flight, as it affects the aircraft's center of gravity. An unbalanced load can shift the aircraft's center of gravity outside of the designed operational limits, which can cause handling difficulties for the pilot. This disruption might lead to issues such as difficulty in climbing or descending, increased stall risk, or erratic flight behavior. Maintaining proper balance is crucial for ensuring that the aircraft remains stable and controllable throughout its flight phase, making this the most critical consequence of poor cargo management.

The other options, such as improved fuel efficiency and increased aircraft performance, suggest beneficial outcomes, which would not occur in the context of improperly balanced cargo. Additionally, the risk of aircraft damage is minimized with properly balanced loads, highlighting that these are not realistic effects of an unbalanced cargo situation.