A report into a fatal crash on Bute found that the plane had been modified that meant the plane was most likely over its maximum weight.
The plane was downed in August last year after taking off from Bute. 63-year-old Thomas McGowan died in hospital after suffering 80% burns as a result of the crash.
It is understood that the modifications made on the plane were not known about by anyone and meant that the plane did not comply with its Permit to Fly according to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
Modifications and Loss Of Power Resulted in Accident
The investigation was told by the pilot who survived the accident, that the aircraft lost power and when it was attempted to return it to the runway it crashed into the ground, severely burning both the pilot and Mr McGowan.
The plan had been fitted with heavier propellers and autopilot that not only was the most probable cause of the loss of power, but was also a reason for the heavier weight.
The report read: "Calculations show that with these modifications the aircraft was likely to have been over its approved MTOW of 600kg when it departed Bute.
"The pilot reported that the aircraft flew satisfactorily on the outbound flight to Bute and that it was during the climb from the airstrip on the return flight to Strathaven that he experienced the symptoms that caused him to believe that he had a partial loss of engine power.
"The lack of performance could have been due to a combination of factors including a technical fault, handling and aircraft weight."
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