What is the primary danger of flying over the maximum gross weight?

Flying a helicopter over its maximum gross weight poses significant risks, and one of the most critical dangers is structural damage to the aircraft. When a helicopter is loaded beyond its designated maximum gross weight, the strain on the airframe increases. This can lead to fatigue in structural components, exhaustion of the materials used in construction, and in extreme cases, catastrophic failure of the airframe.

The design and engineering of helicopters take into account specific weight limits to ensure safety under various flight conditions. Exceeding these limits compromises the structural integrity and can lead to issues that might not be immediately apparent, such as metal fatigue or failure of critical components during operation. This is why maintaining the weight within the prescribed limits is crucial for the safety and longevity of the helicopter.

While increased fuel consumption, loss of control authority, and reduced flight speed can all occur due to excess weight and should not be ignored, the immediate and more severe risk of structural damage is regarded as the primary danger when operating above the maximum gross weight.