A conclussion is being jumped to here. The initial thread said POB 7, which to means the usual 6 pax and the pilot. The press were probably told that there were 7 pob which they read to be 7 pax and then added the pilot, so methinks Chairmanofthebored is adding to the confussion with his assumption of there being 8 on board. Let's also be realistic and not assume that everybody is 200lbs as many mationals in PNG weigh less than 170lbs. Also, Oilsearch, with it's Chevron way of operating, would never allow there to be more pax than seats, it's a simple as that so let's quit that route.
The weather probably played a huge part in this as well as the fact that that particular machine (I have flown it) did not have an AH and although the pilot concerned should not have been in a position where he would have been inadvertent IMC, this piece of equipment may have helped. But, on the other hand, Hevi Lift, being a day VFR operation would not need this so they cannot be blamed for lack of equipment. Any number of reasons could have caused this, from mechanical failure to pushing the weather limits. As most of us are not qualified in the art of accident investigation we should leave it up to those that are, especially as most conclussions being drawn here are purely speculative at the minute.