HONOLULU — Federal investigators say the single-engine aircraft that crashed in a mountainous area on Oahu, killing all four people on board last year, was over its weight limit when it took off.
A report by the National Transportation Safety Board has found that the Beech 19A airplane was overweight by more than 60 pounds and was too front heavy when it crashed in July 2017 near Waipio.
According to the report made public Monday, the 29-year-old pilot made three loops in the air before crashing at the remote Pohakea Pass about 15 minutes after takeoff from Honolulu.
The report states overloading can cause adverse effects on the aircraft’s climb and cruise performance.
The wreckage was left at the crash site in the state-owned Honouliuli Forest Reserve.