Is an aircraft considered airworthy if it is overloaded?

An aircraft is considered airworthy only if it complies with all applicable regulations, including weight limitations. Airworthiness standards emphasize that the aircraft must be within its maximum weight and balance limits to ensure safe operation. This is critical for maintaining control, performance, and structural integrity during flight.

When an aircraft is overloaded, it can exhibit poor handling characteristics, reduced performance, and increased risk of structural failure. It may not be able to achieve necessary climb rates, and its stall speed can increase, posing significant safety hazards. For these reasons, strict adherence to weight limitations is fundamental to verifying an aircraft's airworthiness status.