If weight and balance is not maintained within limits, which risk increases?

• A. The engine may fail due to increased weight.
• B. The aircraft may become unstable and difficult to control.
• C. The cockpit instruments will malfunction.
• D. The cabin pressure will drop.

Answer: (B)

Weight and balance is about where the aircraft’s weight sits relative to its center of gravity. If loading pushes the CG outside the approved range, the airplane can lose stability and become hard to control. An aft CG makes the airplane less stable in pitch and can cause quicker, more uncommanded pitch changes, requiring precise and timely control inputs to maintain level flight. A forward CG makes elevator forces heavier and can make the aircraft sluggish to respond, but the immediate safety concern tied to not staying within limits is the overall stability and controllability of the flight.

The other options describe issues tied to systems rather than the effects of CG location. Engine performance, cockpit instruments, and cabin pressurization operate independently of weight distribution, so they’re not the primary risk when weight and balance limits aren’t observed.