Various posts/speculation re whether overweight, with only 25 aboard:
Allegedly the aircraft was overweight and they didn't backtrack the full length.
At 25 occupants - if they did not load additional stuff into the cabin it was hardly overloaded. Not even with max fuel load.
Yes, they routinely haul mail and freight.
The isolated community of Fond-du-Lac is not served by an all-weather road nor any railroad, so air service is crucial. Passenger loads are occasionally reduced to carry more freight.
Presumably no one (who actually knows) can answer that question publicly now.
But can anyone clarify why might be flying lot of heavy freight OUT of Fond-du-Lac during winter?
What may be flying in seems easy to conceive. (mail, fuel, food, a wide range of supplies)
But what is outbound?
Heavy machinery for repair? Heavy pressurized cylinders to be refilled?
Something mined or otherwise produced in the region?
Per Wikipedia, "The main enterprise today in Fond du Lac is working in the mineral and other resource extraction business."
But unless item extracted is relatively valuable given size, weight, or perishable, would they not stockpile until spring when could ship by barge or other means?
Even if room (physically and weightwise) because outbound flight not full of pax, wouldn't the fuel cost be rather high, unless a valuable cargo, or something that can't wait, or perhaps some arrangement to ensure regular pax service even if some flights might be half-empty.
Anyone knowledgable?