I noticed that. If the crew took off so overloaded knowingly it would be their responsibility. The crew is also responsible to see that the load is properly secure. What is the basis for this lawsuit? Doesn’t make sense.
I have military experience, but don’t know how these things work in the civilian world. I don’t doubt companies cut corners, and sometimes dangerously.
But...I don’t get this.
One of my jobs in the USN was to calculate the weight of the plane...empty weight, plus fuel load, plus external stores...and I would write it on a board and show it to the pilot. The pilot, who I believe did the same calculations, would view it, and if our calculations matched, would give a thumbs up. I would then relay that weight to the catapult team, who dialed in the force of the catapult launch.
That process made sense to me, and the aircrew (pilot) took responsibility for taking off with the appropriate load...it was his call at the end of the day.
I just don’t understand how this worked for this crew. I could see if the thing was overloaded by a few tons, but...66 tons? It sounds suicidal.
Now, perhaps the plane was rated to carry that 66 extra tons, but perhaps not in the form of big, metal machines, strapped down. Maybe they were rated to carry that 66 additional tons in boxed cargo. I don’t know.
Something is missing here. I readily admit it could be my reading comprehension, but I did read it a few times.