In the interests of accuracy, the final accident report section 1.6.6 states that the "maximum performance" weight calculated for the conditions of the day was 186.7 tonnes; maximum structural taxi weight 186.88 tonnes and the maximum structural take-off weight 185.07 tonnes.The actual TOW was estimated at being between 186.25 tonnes and 185.76 tonnes depending on how passenger weights were calculated.
So the aircraft was between 1,180 and 700 kg over the structural MTOW (0.4~ 0.6%) but under the RTOW for the day. It was never six tonnes over the legal limit.
It was never six tonnes over the legal limit
On the same page of the french final report I read :
Pour un vent arrière de huit noeuds, la masse au décollage est réduite a 180 300 kg en raison d'une limitation vitesse pneumatique.
For eight knots tailwind, the takeoff weight is reduced to 180,300 kg due to a limitation speed tire.
Math:
185.76 - 180.30 = ?