A couple of points to consider..
IF one were to discuss weight and balance as a possible factor (and I make NO comment at this stage as to the veracity of that being a factor, from what we know so far), I would make the following observations:
1. With the seating layout provided (IF it's accurate) it would seem that too much "weight forward" from seated pax would not be a reasonable possibility.
2. However... The equipment required by ice hockey players, and therefore very likely carried on this flight, is very heavy. Therefore the weight of baggage, per passenger, would be much greater than an "ordinary" flight -- even an ordinary flight carrying a team of large fellows playing a different sport. IF that baggage was not loaded (distributed) properly, then we could have the source of a significant weight and balance issue.
Last edited by grizzled; 15th Sep 2011 at 03:35.