I like Butte having spent the summer there many years ago, but high speed low drag news reporting isn't something the area is noted for. Pretty scenery, good fishing (up the road at Flathead Lake) and the like, but local news... not so much.
Once the local TeeVee folks get some video up to the networks, we may see more about this.
The A/C is as solid as they come - the USAF and Army use it (U-28 IIRC) and it predecessor (Porter) was a biggie in the RVN hauling ammo and such. Still a very good Bush plane for AK>
I was just referring to weight. Yes it would still be unsafe like you said regarding seat belts. Just trying to figure out why such an obvious safety violation occurred (17 into a 12 seater).