Re weights
Based on that day's met data (a twelve kt headwind, a low QNH (1008), the higher than normal temperature and the usable length of the runway), the dispatcher calculated the maximum weight as 177,930 kg. I'm unclear as to whether this took account of the non-availability of thrust reverser 2, which led to a reduction of 2.5% in the maximum weight permitted.
However, flight preparation showed a takeoff weight of 184,800 kg with one hundred passengers (but not all of the baggage) checked in, and the despatcher then started getting anxious suggesting a route with an optional tech/refuel stop or unloading baggage to follow on another flight - it was at this stage that the crew took over flight planning (in order to stretch or bend the rules?).
The max structural weight is 185.075 tonnes.
From Captain P's reading of the report it has been said that they took off at 187.2 tonnes, though in the latest report it is suggested that the accident investigators recalculated the figures, and came to the conclusion that actual TO weight was an estimated 184,802 kg.
So was the aircraft marginally below its absolute structural limit (as suggested by N1 TOGA) by the time it reached its take off position, or two tonnes overweight (cf max structural), or ten tonnes over the max weight originally calculated by the despatcher. And all of those overweight figures are without the 8 kt tailwind.
Ten tonnes. TEN tonnes? Can some-one confirm that I've got that right?