On-scene investigation wrapping up.. this is the last briefing to be held in Charlotte.
"We have continuity" on the control cables going to the tail... no cable breaks, no bolts missing, etc.
Mechanics interviewed last night. Interviewers are enroute to Kansas to inspect hard copy maint records.
Air Midwest has inspected their fleet and found no problems.
I worked for a commuter airline (which shall remain nameless) in Boston a decade ago. When loading a 1900 up, at certain baggage count thresholds, a ballast bag would need to be moved from the cargo hold (C2) to a compartment in the nose. Each ballast bag (there were 3) weighed about 20-25 pounds (I can't remember exactly).
Question: Would an extra 60-75 pounds in the very back of the plane be enough to induce an unrecoverable climb & stall (assuming a normal cargo load for a fully-loaded airplane)?